Illegal Alien Convicted of Child Rape Sentenced for Immigration Fraud
Published Jul 21, 2026
USCIS supported an ICE investigation that led to the sentencing of Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, for immigration fraud. Sanchez is already serving 18 to 26 years in prison for child sex abuse convictions and lied on a U Nonimmigrant Status petition about his criminal conduct.
Key points
- Sanchez was sentenced to seven months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for immigration fraud.
- He is separately serving 18 to 26 years for statutory rape and related child sex abuse convictions involving two victims under age 13.
- In November 2021 he filed a Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status and falsely denied committing unreported crimes or forced sexual conduct.
- He later admitted to knowingly providing false information under penalty of perjury on the application.
- The case was investigated by ICE with USCIS support as part of Operation False Haven, which targets child molesters and others who fraudulently seek immigration benefits.
- After completing his prison term, Sanchez will be transferred to ICE custody for removal from the United States.
Who is affected
This case concerns an individual who sought U Nonimmigrant Status while concealing a history of child sex abuse, and illustrates how USCIS and ICE jointly pursue immigration benefit fraud tied to serious crimes.
What to do
USCIS encourages anyone who suspects immigration benefit fraud or abuse to report it using the USCIS Tip Form.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-12. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
Release Date
07/21/2026
USCIS supported the investigation
NEW BERN, N.C. – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services supported an investigation resulting in the sentencing of Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, for immigration fraud. Sanchez was sentenced to seven months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release. Sanchez is already serving a lengthy sentence for child sex abuse convictions.
On Aug. 19, 2024, Sanchez was found guilty by jury of statutory rape of a child 15 years of age or younger, statutory sex offense with a child 15 years of age or younger, and two counts of sex act by a substitute parent or custodian. He was sentenced to 18 to 26 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender. Both victims were under the age of 13, and the abuse resulted in the birth of two children.
In November 2021, Sanchez submitted a Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, a status intended for victims of certain crimes. In the application, he denied committing any unreported crimes and denied involvement in forced or threatened sexual conduct, despite evidence indicating otherwise. He then confessed to knowingly providing false information under penalty of perjury on his application.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case with support from USCIS as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative to aggressively target child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtain immigration benefits. Upon completion of his prison sentence, Sanchez will be transferred to ICE custody for removal from the United States.
To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.
07/21/2026
Original title: Illegal Alien Child Rapist Sentenced for Immigration Fraud
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