MAYVILLE, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Mexican national with multiple prior deportations and felony convictions was arrested November 20 on federal immigration charges after Border Patrol agents found him working at a construction site near Mayville State University.
Eilo Bernardo Gonzalez-Ramirez faces charges of illegal reentry after removal and possession of fraudulent immigration documents, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
According to an affidavit, agents had been conducting surveillance on a route between Grand Forks and Mayville used by workers traveling to job sites that employ people in the country illegally.
On November 17, agents observed a pickup with Texas plates during their surveillance. Record checks revealed the vehicle was registered to Gonzalez-Ramirez, who had two prior immigration removals and a felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Agents confirmed the vehicle’s presence at the construction site on November 18 and 19 before making the arrest on November 20 around 7:00 a.m.
When Border Patrol agents approached the vehicle and asked if his name was Elio Bernardo, the driver responded with an expletive, according to the affidavit. Agents recognized Gonzalez-Ramirez from photos in prior records checks.
Criminal and immigration history
Court records show Gonzalez-Ramirez was convicted in 2011 of money laundering and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.
He was first removed from the United States in 2014 after his permanent resident status was revoked due to the felony drug conviction. He was removed again in 2017 after being convicted of illegal reentry and sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Gonzalez-Ramirez had obtained lawful permanent resident status in 1999 but lost it following his 2011 conviction.
Fraudulent documents discovered
During a search of Gonzalez-Ramirez’s vehicle, agents found two fraudulent permanent resident cards and a fraudulent Social Security card. The documents bore his photo and biographical information but lacked proper security features and showed poor construction quality.
In an interview, Gonzalez-Ramirez said he purchased the fraudulent documents from a counterfeiter at a flea market in Houston. He said he used the fake documents to pass through immigration checkpoints and to obtain employment with multiple employers in North Dakota.
Gonzalez-Ramirez told agents he entered the United States illegally near Roma, Texas, without being inspected by immigration officers at a port of entry.
