In a significant step in U.S. immigration enforcement, Mario Hidalgo, a 46-year-old Mexican national with deep ties to the infamous Sinaloa drug cartel, was deported back to Mexico on January 7 after completing a federal prison sentence. Hidalgo, a known associate of former cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, was convicted of felony conspiracy to import marijuana and sentenced to seven years in prison by the U.S. District Court in Southern California.
Hidalgo was first extradited from Mexico to the United States in October 2020 to address charges against him. Prior to his conviction, he had faced deportation from the U.S. a staggering 16 times between 2002 and 2003. After completing his prison sentence, Hidalgo was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in San Francisco on January 3. Just four days later, he received an administrative removal order and was sent back to Mexico.
“This removal exemplifies our officers’ hard work and dedication to enforcing our nation’s immigration laws and public safety,” said Orestes Cruz, acting Field Office Director for ERO San Francisco. “There is no safe haven for convicted drug traffickers and cartel members in the United States.”
Now back in Mexico, Hidalgo faces additional criminal charges. The coordinated efforts of U.S. and Mexican authorities ensure that he will be held accountable for his actions, both in the U.S. and his home country. ERO continues to focus on removing individuals who undermine public safety and immigration laws, fulfilling its mission to protect U.S. communities from individuals linked to criminal enterprises.
