BALTIMORE, Md. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a 20-year-old Salvadoran national affiliated with MS-13 in Frederick, Maryland, on Monday, marking his fifth known illegal entry into the United States.
ICE officials identified the individual as Moises Alberto Figueroa-Bonilla, who has previously been deported to El Salvador four times. His most recent entry occurred on an unknown date and at an undetermined location, without inspection or authorization by immigration officials.
ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker said in a statement, “This individual’s repeated illegal entries into the United States, despite multiple prior removals, demonstrate a complete disregard for our nation’s immigration laws. More importantly, his known affiliation with the violent transnational criminal organization MS-13 poses a clear threat to public safety.”
Figueroa’s first immigration case began in 2011 after local arrests in Prince George’s County and Frederick for drug-related charges. He was taken into ICE custody in November 2011 and ordered removed later that month. He was deported to El Salvador for the first time in January 2012.
Multiple removals and continued illegal entries
Figueroa was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol three more times between November 2015 and February 2019. On each occasion, he was served with a notice of intent to reinstate his previous removal order and deported again — on May 20, 2016; December 28, 2018; and April 12, 2019.
According to ICE, Figueroa has now reentered the U.S. at least five times. He remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
ICE Baltimore says it will continue focusing on arresting and removing individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
