Alleged Child Predator Freed Under Oregon Sanctuary Policies Caught Fleeing with Fake Passport

TSA and CBP agents intercepted Manuel Cruz-Ramirez at Portland airport as he tried to board a flight using a fraudulent Mexican passport.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Manuel Cruz-Ramirez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, had been charged with rape, purchasing sex with a minor, and sexual abuse in Marion County, Oregon. Under the county's sanctuary policies, local authorities released him on bail and never referred him to immigration officers. Cruz-Ramirez then showed up at Portland International Airport carrying a falsified Mexican passport with a fake name, but was caught by TSA and CBP agents before he could board a flight.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of sanctuary policies that allow dangerous criminals to be released back into communities. Cruz-Ramirez, a previously deported illegal immigrant, was able to avoid detection by immigration authorities and nearly escaped the country despite facing serious charges related to the sexual abuse of a child.

The details

Cruz-Ramirez had already been deported from the U.S. in 2018 but re-entered the country at an unknown location and time. He was later arrested in Oregon on charges of rape, purchasing sex with a minor, and sexual abuse. Under Marion County's sanctuary policies, local authorities released him on bail without notifying immigration officials. Cruz-Ramirez then attempted to flee the country using a fraudulent Mexican passport, but was intercepted by TSA and CBP agents at the Portland airport.

  • Cruz-Ramirez was deported from the U.S. in 2018.
  • Cruz-Ramirez was arrested in Oregon on charges of rape, purchasing sex with a minor, and sexual abuse.
  • Cruz-Ramirez was released on bail by Marion County authorities under their sanctuary policies.
  • Cruz-Ramirez was intercepted by TSA and CBP agents at Portland International Airport as he tried to board a flight using a fraudulent Mexican passport.

The players

Manuel Cruz-Ramirez

An illegal immigrant from Mexico who was charged with rape, purchasing sex with a minor, and sexual abuse in Marion County, Oregon, and was released on bail under the county's sanctuary policies before attempting to flee the country using a fraudulent passport.

Marion County

A jurisdiction in Oregon that has implemented sanctuary policies, which allowed Cruz-Ramirez to be released on bail without notifying immigration authorities.

TSA

The Transportation Security Administration, which intercepted Cruz-Ramirez at Portland International Airport as he tried to board a flight using a fraudulent passport.

CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which also intercepted Cruz-Ramirez at the Portland airport and took him into custody.

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What they’re saying

“Manuel Cruz-Ramirez was arrested for rape, purchasing sex with a minor, and sexual abuse in Oregon. The state's sanctuary politicians allowed this pedophile to be released from jail back into American communities.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (Fox News)

“Americans can be proud of the swift actions of TSA and CBP for protecting them and our judicial system by preventing this monster from fleeing the country. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released from jails back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (Fox News)

“Oregon's sanctuary politicians must stop this reckless insanity of releasing child predators from jail back into our neighborhoods to prey on more innocent children.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (Fox News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Manuel Cruz-Ramirez to be released on bail again.

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of sanctuary policies that allow dangerous criminals to be released back into communities, putting innocent lives at risk. It underscores the need for better cooperation between local and federal law enforcement to ensure public safety and hold criminals accountable.