U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alongside law enforcement partners such as the FBI, DEA, and Virginia State Police, have arrested an illegal Salvadoran national affiliated with the MS-13 gang. The individual, identified as Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres, 40, was detained in Alexandria, Virginia, and is wanted in El Salvador for serious charges including extortion, blackmail, and terrorist affiliation.
"Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres is not only the member of a transnational criminal enterprise known for violence, she has also apparently attempted to flee justice in her home country and hide out in Northern Virginia," stated ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russ Hott. “We will not allow our Washington, D.C. and Virginia communities to become safe havens for the world’s bad actors. ICE Washington, D.C. remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety and protecting our residents by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders.”
Bonilla was initially apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after she illegally entered the United States on February 21, 2016, near the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Following this, she was placed into removal proceedings. The El Salvador authorities issued a warrant for her arrest on August 28, 2017, citing her involvement with MS-13 as grounds for charges of aggravated extortion, blackmail, and terrorist affiliation. In turn, Interpol issued a red notice on November 24, 2017.
On July 11, 2025, a Department of Justice immigration judge ruled in favor of Bonilla’s removal from the United States to El Salvador.
The public is encouraged to report any crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or using the online tip form.
More information about ICE's mission for public safety can be followed on X: @EROWashington.
