ICE Arrests One of El Salvador’s Most Wanted MS-13 Gang Members in Virginia After Two Deportations

A suspect in the MS-13 gang was deported twice from the United States, but was still arrested in Virginia. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced last week that removal officers arrested Herberth Bonilla-Garcia, 40, during a raid in Manassas, Virginia, on Dec. 1. 

Bonilla Garcia was detected in the United States at least two times. She was then removed from the country in 2006, and again in 2012. officials said.

“Herberth Bonilla-Garcia has a history of unlawfully entering the U.S. and this time he apparently did so to escape justice in his home country,” Erik Weiss, Assistant Removal Operations Field Office Director, said. “The United States is not a safe haven for the world’s criminals.”

El Salvador has issued warrants for Bonilla-Garcia for illicit association and aggravated exportation, officials said. 

El Salvador still has his name on its website. Crime Stoppers Website, where he is wanted since at most 2020. Central American officials claimed that he was a member the international criminal gang MS-13.

Bonilla Garcia is currently under U.S. surveillance until he’s deported to El Salvador.

It is not uncommon for migrants to attempt You can cross the border several times. 2021 data shows that over a quarter of the border arrests were made in 2021 by migrants who have a history of crossing.