U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on May 9 that a multiagency operation led to the arrest of Luis Merary Peralta-Sevilla, a confirmed MS-13 gang member residing in Palm Beach County, Florida. The operation took place on April 14 and involved ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, "The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Peralta-Sevilla during a coordinated vehicle stop, and ICE took him into custody without incident. He is a member of MS-13, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and he’s currently pending removal proceedings with a Department of Justice immigration judge. He’ll stay in our custody pending the outcome of those proceedings."
Authorities reported that Peralta-Sevilla was arrested after being stopped for driving without a valid license. His vehicle was seized by local police due to these violations.
Peralta-Sevilla first entered the United States illegally in July 2013 through Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. At that time, he admitted his Honduran citizenship and unlawful presence in the country to U.S. Border Patrol agents. A Department of Justice immigration judge later granted him bond while he awaited removal proceedings; his next scheduled hearing is set for April 2027.
He remains held at Palm Beach County Jail awaiting transfer to ICE custody for further removal actions.
ICE said it continues routine daily enforcement nationwide as part of its efforts to apprehend criminal aliens or other individuals with no legal right to remain in the United States.
