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Peruvian man self-deported, then wrongly linked to ICE officer assault in New Jersey

Jun 18, 2026 · Manahawkin, NJ, Peru

Peruvian man self-deported, then wrongly linked to ICE officer assault in New Jersey

Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno self-deported to Peru in March 2026 after receiving a final deportation order and was approved for CBP Home incentive payments ($2,600) in April verifying his departure. In June 2026, ICE mistakenly identified him as a suspect in a violent incident in Stafford Township, New Jersey, where an officer was struck by a vehicle during an enforcement operation on Route 72. Federal prosecutors later charged a different man, Eduardo Cruz Garcia, with the assault. Castillo-Ormeno expressed concern that the misidentification could harm his reputation and affect his ability to legally return to the United States, as well as his U.S.-born daughter's documentation.

Timeline

Jun 18, 2026DHS clarified Castillo-Ormeno was not the driver; federal prosecutors charged Eduardo Cruz Garcia with the assault
Jun 1, 2026ICE mistakenly identified Castillo-Ormeno as suspect in vehicle incident in Stafford Township, New Jersey where an ICE officer was struck during enforcement operation
Apr 1, 2026Castillo-Ormeno approved for and received CBP Home incentive payments ($2,600) verifying his departure
Mar 1, 2026Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno self-deported to Peru after receiving a final deportation order

Sources

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