Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston has deported Wilmer Alexy Garcia-Manzanarez, a Salvadoran national identified as an MS-13 gang leader and wanted for murder in El Salvador. The deportation took place on November 3, with Garcia-Manzanarez being handed over to authorities in El Salvador.
Garcia-Manzanarez was first arrested by ICE in February 2024. According to the agency, he had previously claimed fear of returning to El Salvador, where he faced an outstanding warrant for murder. In addition to the charges in El Salvador, ICE stated that Garcia-Manzanarez committed several crimes while in the United States, including burglary, menacing or intimidation with a weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol, property damage, and driving without a license.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the case: “The Biden administration let this MS-13 gang member and wanted murderer claim fear of returning to El Salvador despite having a final order of removal and three prior deportations. Of course a wanted murdered does not want to return to his country to face justice for his crimes. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, this criminal illegal alien is OUT of our country. The days of the world’s criminals indefinitely remaining in our country over.”
ICE noted that Garcia-Manzanarez's removal followed recent operations conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Massachusetts—Operation Patriot and Operation Patriot 2.0—which targeted individuals accused of serious offenses such as rape, murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes associated with terrorist gangs. ICE also criticized local sanctuary policies that have led to the release of some individuals arrested during these operations.
Records show that Garcia-Manzanarez was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after entering illegally through the Canadian border on March 6, 2001. He was released into the United States at that time. On March 18, 2002, an immigration judge ordered his removal from the country.
Between January 2007 and October 2012, ICE removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the United States three times; however, he re-entered illegally each time before being arrested again in Foxboro, Massachusetts on February 18, 2024.
Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for his arrest and Interpol published a Red Notice for him in January 2020.
