MS-13 Leader Deported to El Salvador
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Thursday that it has deported Wilmer Alexi Garcia Manzanares, an alleged leader of the Salvadoran gang MS-13, back to his home country. This action follows his attempts to “compromise” the U.S. immigration system during the Biden administration.
Garcia Manzanares was initially detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February 2024. However, at that time, the Biden administration permitted him to engage with the immigration system due to his claims of fearing for his safety if returned to El Salvador, compounded by an outstanding murder warrant.
Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at DHS, commented that “the Biden administration has allowed this MS-13 gang member and wanted killer” to claim fear of returning home, despite having a final removal order and three previous deportations. She noted that, understandably, he wouldn’t want to return to face justice for his actions in El Salvador.
McLaughlin also expressed gratitude towards former President Trump and Secretary Noem, emphasizing that the era where international criminals could remain in the U.S. indefinitely has come to an end.
DHS noted that Garcia Manzanares had also committed various violent offenses in the U.S. This includes robbery, threatening behavior with a weapon, and drunk driving, among others. His deportation occurred on November 3.
The agency revealed that Garcia Manzanares first entered the U.S. illegally back in March 2001 at the Canadian border and was subsequently ordered removed by an immigration judge the following year. Over the years, ICE had deported him back to El Salvador three times between 2007 and 2012. Nevertheless, he chose to re-enter the U.S. illegally, which is considered a felony.
In January 2020, he had an arrest warrant issued by Salvadoran authorities, along with an official red notice from Interpol for his apprehension. He was apprehended again by ICE officers in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on February 18, 2024.
