The circumstances Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 31-year-old Michoacán, Mexico-born immigrant, was sentenced to time served. He spent almost seven months in jail after his arrest on the steps of the Milwaukee County courthouse all while he awaits at the border deportation back to Mexico. Flores-Ruiz crossed into the United States from Nogales, Mexico, at the age of 18 in 2013 but faced immediate deportation after being apprehended with a group of migrants.
In September, Flores-Ruiz pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry. Along with finalizing an agreement with prosecutors, he would not fight his deportation. Then in March, his legal troubles deepened. He was charged with three counts of battery misdemeanors after tussling with his then-roommate. In October, he opted to plead no contest to one of those charges, which contributed to his time behind bars.
Flores-Ruiz has worked for more than a decade in a variety of restaurants and food trucks across Milwaukee. Having re-entered the U.S. soon after his initial deportation, he has managed to establish a better life here. He hitchhiked across the Arizona desert before finally making it to Milwaukee. The tipping point came when U.S. immigration agents found out that he was undocumented. This discovery could be made only after they finally got his Guerrero’s fingerprint submissions from the Milwaukee County jail.
During the time he was in court, Flores-Ruiz showed genuine contrition for what he’d done. In doing so, he said that he was thankful for the opportunity to work in the U.S. and that he would never return. The awful precedent that his case created gained significant media attention when his case came under attack. It more importantly ignited national conversations about immigration policies and enforcement practices.
“I very much hope you can find a way to make a living back home rather than coming back here,” – Judge
Flores-Ruiz’s journey started in Mexico where he practiced traditional fishing and frog catching techniques taught to him by his father. His experience as a young boy mirrors the pain and hardship experienced by many who chase the dreams of greener pastures overseas. He made the dangerous border crossing, hoping to secure a stable life and future. This decision cast him into a confusing legal labyrinth.
Following his arrest after the courthouse, Flores-Ruiz continued to be housed at the Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin. He now waits for deportation on the other side of the country. The case highlights individual stories and broader systemic issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the legal ramifications for those who seek refuge or opportunity in the United States.