U.S. Border Patrol agents have apprehended a Salvadoran national in Portland, Maine, identified as being unlawfully present in the United States and affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a recognized Foreign Terrorist Organization. The arrest took place on April 15, 2025, as part of U.S. Border Patrol's (USBP) mandate to protect national security by dismantling criminal and terrorist organizations, including MS-13.
The Border Patrol's Anti-Smuggling Unit (ASU), a specialized team engaged in intelligence-driven enforcement operations, discovered the 27-year-old's illegal status and gang ties. Following this identification, his location was pinpointed to Portland, where agents subsequently detained him.
He remains in custody as removal proceedings are underway. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) are set to take over his case for further processing.
The MS-13 gang is notorious for involvement in severe crimes in the U.S., leading to its classification as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department on February 6, 2025, as noted in Public Notice 12672.
Juan G. Bernal, Chief of U.S. Border Patrol’s Houlton Sector, reiterated the commitment to capturing and prosecuting dangerous gang members and terrorists: “The U.S. Border Patrol is committed to putting dangerous terrorists and violent gang-members behind bars. They present a real threat to our nation and to the American people, and as such, they remain a top enforcement priority for the Border Patrol. Members of the MS-13 terrorist organization should know that our agents will find you, we will work to prosecute you, and if you are not legally present in the United States, we will work to remove you from our country.”
Nationwide, the USBP has apprehended 218 individuals linked to gangs this year. In Maine alone, members of the Tren De Aragua and MS-13 organizations have been among those arrested.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remains a critical agency with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to border management and security, facilitating secure travel and trade while guarding against threats.
For updates on regional operations, the public is encouraged to follow the Houlton Sector’s social media:
Facebook: US Border Patrol Houlton Sector
Instagram: USBPChiefHLT
X: USBPChiefHLT
