Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended an undocumented immigrant who allegedly stalked his mother and U.S. government officials, despite being ordered to exit the country in 2022. Jose Madrid Reyes, a Salvadoran national, was taken into custody on July 12, and he is expected to face deportation soon, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was prompted by concerns raised by U.S. officials who feared for their safety due to Reyes’ behavior. The officials, whose identities remain confidential for privacy reasons, expressed worries about the safety of their families, including children.
Throughout the investigation, HSI identified Reyes as a suspect in stalking incidents. His criminal record spans nearly two decades and includes multiple offenses, such as assault and driving under the influence. Notably, in August 2006, he was convicted for a DWI in Manassas, Virginia.
In May 2017, he faced charges for misdemeanor assaults against family members in Fairfax, Virginia. He also had a second DWI conviction in September 2019 in the Fairfax County General District Court. Despite being ordered to leave the U.S. by an immigration judge in 2022 and denied permanent legal status in 2024, Reyes remained illegally in the country.
DHS officials highlighted the escalating challenges they face, noting, for instance, that ICE agents have seen a dramatic rise in assaults against them—up by 830% in recent times. Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin stated, “On July 12th, ICE arrested Jose Madrid Reyes, an illegal criminal foreigner from El Salvador. We are committed to ensuring that these predators do not terrorize American citizens.” She emphasized the importance of their work in keeping communities safe from those living in the country unlawfully.
ICE also encourages the public to report any criminal or suspicious activities. They can be contacted through the ICE tip line.
