Title: Assistant Chief Counsel – Homeland Security Investigations
Company: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Enrique J. San Miguel-Ruiz, Esq., Assistant Chief Counsel of Homeland Security Investigations at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in federal law.
With many years of experience in the field of law, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz has carved a distinguished career elevated by his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice. He embarked upon his professional path at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2009, graduating magna cum laude. He concluded his academic efforts at the aforementioned university in 2012, graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. To further broaden his understanding of common law, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz also participated in a student exchange program with the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa.
Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz began his career as a part-time law clerk at Miguez & Negretti Law Office in Puerto Rico during his first year of law school. Upon obtaining his law degree, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz accepted a position with Sepulvado, Maldonado & Couret as an associate attorney, honing his skills in civil and immigration law between 2013 and 2016. There, his mentor, founding partner Lee R. Sepulvado, played a pivotal role in shaping his career, providing him with invaluable knowledge and expertise while igniting his passion for trial advocacy.
Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz would later find much success with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially serving as Assistant Chief Counsel with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 2016 to 2020. Among other things, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz serves as the local subject-matter expert in national security cases. Moreover, throughout his career with OPLA, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz has exemplified excellence in litigation by handling numerous high-profile cases involving, among other things, international fugitives and individuals convicted or suspected of terrorism-related activities.
From 2020 to 2021, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz was appointed by ICE-OPLA as an Associate Legal Advisor with the District Court Legal Division in Washington, D.C. This period was significant to his career advancement due to his involvement in high-stakes litigation at a national level. Returning to the field, in 2021, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz returned to his role as Assistant Chief Counsel with ICE OPLA. Today, he is embedded with the Office of the Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Las Vegas where he currently excels in providing comprehensive legal support to approximately 100 employees, including agents, criminal investigators, analysts, and management. His responsibilities included providing legal support for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in the Las Vegas area, where he regularly tackles a variety of legal issues ranging from human trafficking and white-collar crimes to controlled substance and customs-related offenses.
In his present position, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz works to address diverse legal issues, from litigation support to handling, insurance claims on behalf of HSI-Las Vegas, responding to information disclosure requests from partner law enforcement agencies, and requests for testimony, among other things. His meticulous approach and exceptional expertise ensure that all legal matters within his work are handled with the utmost precision and care. Beyond his primary responsibilities, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz is also involved in civic organizations, including the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, and is affiliated with both the Bar Association of Puerto Rico and the Federal Bar Association.
Throughout his career, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz has been driven by a profound sense of gratitude and a commitment to repay the kindness and support that he received from his mentors and colleagues. He attributes his success to the hard work and organizational skills instilled in him from a young age, as well as the unwavering support of his family and professional network. Notably, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz has practiced law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.
Exhibiting a deep commitment to justice, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz’s dedication to his community and his profession is evident in his aspiration to become an immigration judge in the coming years. This ambition reflects his unwavering work ethic, and his desire to keep his fellow citizens safe in a meaningful manner. Moreover, Mr. San Miguel-Ruiz’s journey from a law student in Puerto Rico to a prominent figure in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a testament to his status as a valuable asset to his team and the legal community as a whole.
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