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An alleged MS-13 gang leader from El Salvador, who attempted to exploit the U.S. immigration system, has been sent back to his home country, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on Thursday.
Wilmer Alexy Garcia-Manzanarez was initially apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February 2024. Despite his arrest, the Biden administration permitted him to claim fear of returning to El Salvador, where he was wanted for murder, according to the DHS.
“The Biden administration allowed this MS-13 gang member and accused murderer to assert fear of returning to El Salvador, even though he had a final order of removal and had been deported three times before,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Naturally, a wanted murderer would not wish to return to face justice in his own country.”
McLaughlin credited the Trump administration for the deportation, saying, “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, this criminal illegal alien is out of our country. The era of criminals from around the world remaining indefinitely in the U.S. is over.”
The DHS confirmed that Garcia-Manzanarez was deported on November 3, with the announcement made on November 20, 2025.
Homeland Security said Garcia-Manzanarez “also committed several heinous crimes in the United States, including burglary, menacing/intimidation with a weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol, property damage, and driving without a license.”
He was sent back to El Salvador on Nov. 3.
In this handout photo provided by the Salvadoran government, guards escort inmates allegedly linked to criminal organizations at CECOT prison on March 16, 2025, in Tecoluca, El Salvador. The Trump administration deported 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organizations ‘Tren De Aragua’ and MS-13. (Salvadoran Government via Getty Images)
Garcia-Manzanarez was first arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol after illegally entering the U.S. through the Canadian border in March 2001 and was then released into the country, officials said. He was then ordered by an immigration judge to be removed a year later.
“Between January 2007 and October 2012, ICE officers removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the United States to El Salvador three times. He chose to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the United States a fourth time,” DHS said.
Prisoners with MS-13 gang tattoos look out of their cell as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT) on March 26, 2025, in Tecoluca, El Salvador. (Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
“Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Garcia-Manzanarez’ arrest. In January 2020, Interpol issued a public Red Notice for the apprehension of Garcia-Manzanarez. Officers from ICE Boston arrested Garcia-Manzanarez in Foxboro, Massachusetts on February 18, 2024,” it added.