The trio linked to an international home burglary ring in the Bay State are also serial border crossers, ICE officials tell the Herald.

The three suspects were arrested on July 11 in Braintree on conspiracy to commit residential burglaries. Police say they used hidden cameras to scope out homes they would later break into. But there’s more to their border-crossing story.

Immigration officials now tell the Herald all three suspects are Colombian nationals who crossed both the southern and the northern borders. They illegally entered the U.S. at Santa Teresa, New Mexico; Otay Mesa, California; Hidalgo, Texas; and Niagara Falls, New York.

They never showed up for hearings the few times they were caught crossing and have slipped into the country at other times undetected until Braintree police busted them earlier this month and turned them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Their immigration story, however, is one that shows the porous border security that’s plaguing cities and towns all the way north, said Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.

“This is not your typical migrant story,” said Vaughn. “It’s criminals exploiting loose immigration policies the Biden administration has put in place. They were clearly not extensively vetted.”

By Braintree contacting ICE, the suspects are now once again facing deportation.

But the backgrounds of Braintree suspects Lizbeth Hernandez-Gantiva, 23; Carlos Ocampo-Carrillo, 47; and, Johana Patricia Parra-Morales, 36, are expansive.

23-year-old suspect

Hernandez-Gantiva was first arrested Feb. 15, 2022, near Hidalgo, Texas. Border Patrol served her a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and released her on order of recognizance, according to ICE.

On Dec. 7, 2023, the DOJ immigration judge in Miami ordered Gantiva removed from the U.S. and she was off the radar until her arrest in Braintree July 11. She’s charged with possession of burglarious tools and conspiracy. She now has an immigration detainer against her and ICE has taken her into custody.

47-year-old ringleader

Ocampo-Carrillo first attempted to enter the country illegally in December of 2017 on a flight into New York City, according to ICE, and they sent him right back to Colombia. He was caught in February of 2020 after illegally crossing the border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

He was served a “Reinstatement of Deportation Order” and sent back home again, only to unlawfully re-enter the U.S. “on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official,” ICE told the Herald.

He was convicted of burglary in Newport Beach, California, on Aug. 23, 2021, and was arrested on March 25, 2022, in Niagara Falls, New York, and served with reinstatement of the deportation order. He served time in prison and on May 1, 2023, immigration officials in New Orleans sent him back home.

He unlawfully re-entered the U.S. “on an unknown date, at an unknown location” and was in the wind until being arrested by Braintree police. He’s charged locally with assault and battery on a police officer; breaking and entering a building in the nighttime for felony; resisting arrest; dangerous weapon (knife); possession of burglarious tools and conspiracy.

Immigration officials arrested Ocampo on July 12 as part of a joint operation with Braintree.

“Ocampo will remain in state custody pending federal and/or state prosecution,” ICE said.

36-year-old accomplice

Parra-Morales arrived at the Otay Mesa, California, Port of Entry on July 3, 2021, “without sufficient documents to lawfully enter the United States.” She was issued a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. She was then released.

The DOJ immigration judge in Los Angeles ordered Parra removed from the U.S. to Colombia Feb. 27, 2022.

ICE said: “Parra has an extensive criminal history spanning four years and includes multiple felony arrests by law enforcement agencies for various burglary offenses from four different jurisdictions.” That’s until Braintree police arrested her July 11 and charged her with possession of a burglarious instrument and conspiracy.

The next day, Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston (ERO) lodged an immigration detainer against her. She is now in ICE custody “pending removal to Colombia.”

“We commend the officers on their apprehension of these individuals. ERO Boston and Braintree PD are both working together to ensure the safety of our Massachusetts residents,” ICE said in a statement, signaling immigration officials now have hands on the suspects because local police called them in to help.

Hidden cameras Braintree police say suspect used to monitor homes. (Braintree Police photos)