SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Two undocumented aliens from the Dominican Republic appeared today before the United States District Court Magistrate Judge Justo Arenas, facing charges for various violations to current United States immigration laws.

The defendants, Raulin Figari-Rosario and Ruddy Carmona-Antigua, were arrested after two separate incidents on Sunday; one in Rio Hondo, Bayamon, and the other at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Carolina.

During a routine patrol U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered an individual named Raulin Figari-Rosario, who identified himself as a citizen and national of the Dominican Republic.  He further stated that he did not have, nor ever applied for, immigration documents to enter or remain in the U.S. legally. 

Border Patrol Agents then took custody of Mr. Figari-Rosario and transported him to the Ramey Station in Aguadilla for processing.

Border Patrol Agents interviewed the defendant and took a photo and fingerprint information to be entered into biometric data systems, which revealed that Mr. Figari-Rosario had been ordered removed by an immigration judge and was deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic on February 12, 2009.

In the other case, Customs and Border Protection Officers encountered defendant Ruddy Carmona-Antigua during a pre-flight inspection of a JetBlue flight bound to New York.

The defendant claimed to be Franklin Jose De Leon Martinez, a Lawful Permanent Resident alien by presenting to the CBP Inspecting Officers a Puerto Rico Driver’s License, a Dominican Passport and a Social Security Card issued under the above name.

Since the driver’s license and the Passport appeared to be altered CBP Officers referred the inspection for a closer examination, where the inspection revealed that the alien was an impostor, whose real name was Ruddy Carmona-Antigua, who was assuming the identity of a Lawful Permanent resident alien to proof his authorized stay in the United States.

The criminal complaint against Raulin Figari-Rosario accuses the defendant of entering the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry, and did not have any immigration documents allowing him to enter and/or remain in the United States legally and was not inspected, admitted or paroled into the United States.

Likewise the complaint against Ruddy Carmona-Antigua indicates that the defendant knowingly used, possessed, obtained, accepted, or received any such document prescribed by statute or regulation for entry into or as evidence of authorized stay or employment in the United States, knowing it to be forged, counterfeited, altered, or falsely made, or to have been procured by means of any false claim or statement, or to have been otherwise procured by fraud or unlawfully obtained. 

The defendant also faces charges for forgery and false use of a passport. 

Both cases were presented by CBP Agents and Officers to the Immigration Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office, who accepted the cases for prosecution.  Assistant United States Attorney Evelyn Canals and Special Assistant United States Attorney Russell E. Booker III will prosecute the cases.

If convicted the defendant Carmona-Antigua faces a fine or a sentence not more than 10 years or both.   Defendant Figari-Rosario faces a fine or a sentence not more than 2 years or both

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.