ICE Arrests MS-13 Gang Member in Virginia

This week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended several members of the MS-13 gang, with reports outlining various violent actions like attacks and robberies. An ICE spokesperson shared this information on Friday.

One notable arrest involved Mycol Santos Santos, a 25-year-old from Guatemala. He was found illegally in the U.S. and taken into custody by ICE in Fairfax, Virginia, on Monday. During the arrest, an ICE officer sustained injuries as Santos Santos resisted capture.

Santos Santos has a lengthy criminal record, which includes serious charges like assault, robbery, credit card fraud, and drug offenses. In fact, his history reportedly spans over 15 pages, with more than 30 arrests by Fairfax County police. Additionally, there have been 16 immigrant detainer requests filed against him in just the last three years.

After his arrest, it became apparent that the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center had previously refused to honor ICE’s detainer request for Santos. This situation, understandably, raised concerns among ICE officials.

An ICE representative characterized Santos Santos as a repeat offender who poses a threat to the community in Virginia. They expressed disappointment that local law enforcement did not cooperate more effectively, suggesting that a safer transfer arrangement could have been made instead of forcing an arrest that led to an officer being injured.

To add to the gravity, Santos Santos entered the U.S. illegally via Texas back in 2014. His deportation order was issued by an immigration judge as recently as 2023. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, with key safety and political considerations at play.