By: Richard L. Smith
A Salvadoran national previously convicted of double homicide and sentenced to 50 years in prison in El Salvador has been charged with illegally reentering the United States, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice. 
Federal authorities announced that César Eliseo Sorto-Amaya, 28, was charged in a criminal complaint for unlawful reentry and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court.
Repeated Illegal Reentries and Criminal History
Court documents and public statements reveal that Sorto-Amaya has a history of multiple deportations and unlawful returns to the United States.
Since 2015, he has been deported on three separate occasions, including one instance following a conviction for weapons possession in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Most notably, in April 2024, Sorto-Amaya was convicted in absentia in El Salvador for double aggravated homicide and received a 50-year prison sentence.
Despite this conviction, he reentered the United States, leading to his latest apprehension by federal authorities.
Ongoing Efforts to Enforce Immigration Laws
The case focuses on ongoing federal efforts to track and prosecute individuals with serious criminal records who repeatedly enter the country illegally. Authorities continue to stress the importance of enforcing immigration laws to ensure public safety.
Sorto-Amaya's current legal status will be determined as the case proceeds in federal court. If convicted, he could face additional penalties for illegal reentry. 
Further updates on this case will follow as proceedings continue in Newark federal court.