Jamaican Woman Sentenced For Illegal Reentry Into The U.S.

Sunday, September 7, 2025, 8:15  A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BOSTON, MA.- On Wednesday, a 53-year-old Jamaican woman, and a convicted crack cocaine distributor, learned she will spend a few more months in federal prison before being deported from the United States back to Jamaica after being sentenced for being unlawfully in the U.S. by a twice-deported alien.

     According to U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Tanya James, 53, of Jamaica, illegally residing in the Boston, Massachusetts area, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to six months in federal prison. James is now subject to deportation proceedings following completion of her term of imprisonment.

In June 2025, A Federal Grand Jury indicted James On The Charge

     In June 2025, a Federal Grand Jury for the District of Massachusetts returned an indictment charging James with one count of Illegal Reentry into the United States by a Deported Alien. In July, James pleaded guilty to the charge.

James Was Previously Deported Two Prior Times

     According to documents filed with the District Court, in 2003, James was convicted of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine. She was ordered removed from the United States and deported to Jamaica in 2004. In 2011, James was again ordered removed from the United States and deported to Jamaica in 2012.

     According to charging documents, in March 2024, James was charged with motor vehicle violations. On May 12, 2025, James was taken into custody by Federal Immigration Officials after she was found to be in the United States without permission or legal authorization to reenter the country.

     U.S. Attorney Foley commended the investigative work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations, which led to the successful prosecution of James.