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Beyond Deportation: 3 Foreign Nationals Indicted in Jacksonville, Florida, Under “Take Back America” Initiative

Three foreign nationals indicted in Florida for illegal reentry after deportation; face prison.

byEditorial Staff

September 3, 2025, 5:32 PM

A man in handcuffs stands near a border sign in an urban area during the day.

The man, detained near the border, stares ahead as the city bustles around him. By Miami Daily Life / MiamiDaily.Life.

Executive Summary

Three foreign nationals – Francisco Juarez-Hernandez (Mexico), Javier Melendez-Serrano (Honduras), and Israel Godinez-Carrillo (Guatemala) – have been indicted in Jacksonville, Florida, for illegal reentry into the U.S. after previous deportations.

Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison if convicted, having re-entered the country without the required consent from the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security.

These indictments are part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on addressing illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and enhancing community safety.

Laws and Precedent

The foreign nationals are charged with illegal reentry into the United States after previous deportations, a federal offense. Federal law mandates that individuals deported from the U.S. must receive consent from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to lawfully reapply for admission, a requirement these individuals allegedly did not meet. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison under these statutes.

Three foreign nationals have been indicted in Jacksonville, Florida, on charges of illegal reentry into the United States after previous deportations. Francisco Juarez-Hernandez, 25, of Mexico; Javier Melendez-Serrano, 29, of Honduras; and Israel Godinez-Carrillo, 27, of Guatemala, each face a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison if convicted. The indictments were announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, as part of a broader federal initiative.

Details of the Indictments

According to the indictments, Francisco Juarez-Hernandez was found voluntarily present in the United States on August 3, 2025, having previously been deported on November 10, 2020. Javier Melendez-Serrano was encountered on March 7, 2025, after an earlier deportation on October 11, 2019. Israel Godinez-Carrillo was found present on August 2, 2025, following his deportation on June 25, 2019.

None of the individuals had received consent from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. Federal law requires such permission for individuals previously deported to lawfully re-enter the country.

Legal Process and Investigation

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal charge alleging that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

These cases are being investigated jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian is prosecuting the cases.

Operation Take Back America

The indictments are part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative. This operation aims to utilize full federal resources to address illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and enhance community safety from violent crime perpetrators.