Grand Forks: Man Accused of Reentry After 3 Deportations

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Honduran citizen arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Grand Forks faces a federal illegal reentry allegation.

Raul Alexander Pineda-Mendez was arrested Monday, October 26, 2026, following an attempted traffic stop.

According to a federal affidavit, authorities allege he returned to the United States after being deported three times.

Federal court documents describing the arrest were filed Wednesday, October 28, in the District of North Dakota.

Border Patrol Spots Pickup in Grand Forks

According to the affidavit, Border Patrol agents were conducting a roving patrol in Grand Forks.

They noticed a black GMC pickup parked along South Washington Street.

Agents said they recognized the vehicle from an earlier encounter near Interstate 29 on September 29.

Records reportedly showed the registered owner was a person previously deported to Honduras.

A removal warrant was signed on September 30, according to the affidavit.

Pickup Allegedly Accelerates Away From Agents

On October 26, agents reportedly watched Pineda-Mendez and another man enter the pickup.

The vehicle left the area at approximately 3:20 p.m.

Agents activated emergency lights and sirens near a gas station, attempting to stop the truck.

According to court documents, the pickup accelerated away instead of stopping.

The truck then entered a nearby parking lot.

Other Border Patrol vehicles blocked its path, allowing agents to approach.

The affidavit does not identify a separate criminal charge related to the attempted traffic stop.

Man Tells Agents About Pending U Visa Application

During the encounter, Pineda-Mendez reportedly identified himself and discussed his immigration situation.

According to the affidavit, he told agents he had a pending U visa application.

U visas provide certain immigration protections to eligible victims of qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement.

However, a pending application does not automatically establish lawful immigration status or permission to reenter after deportation.

Agents reported finding no recent immigration record authorizing his return after February 2026.

Pineda-Mendez declined to answer when asked where he last entered the country, according to the affidavit.

Grand Forks: Man Accused of Reentry After 3 Deportations

Federal Records Allege Three Previous Deportations

Fingerprint records cited in the affidavit identify three prior removals from the United States.

The first occurred in March 2012, following an immigration encounter in Texas in October 2011.

The second removal occurred in March 2021, after an encounter with immigration authorities in Minnesota.

The third occurred February 1, 2026, following another immigration encounter in Minnesota.

Agents allege Pineda-Mendez returned without the required government authorization after his latest removal.

Suspect Taken to Pembina for Processing

After the arrest, agents transported Pineda-Mendez to the Border Patrol station in Pembina, North Dakota.

According to the affidavit, agents advised him of his constitutional rights.

He acknowledged those rights and requested an attorney before answering further questions.

The supplied report identifies Grand Forks County Jail as his custody location.

Federal Immigration Case Continues

Federal law addresses unlawful reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. Section 1326.

Penalties depend on the circumstances and any applicable prior convictions.

Readers can learn about U visa eligibility through the U.S. Department of State.

Information about the federal court is available through the North Dakota Court System’s federal courts directory.

The affidavit contains allegations, not findings of guilt.

No conviction or sentence in this federal matter was established by the supplied documents.

Pineda-Mendez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

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