NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A Salvadoran citizen and known member of the MS-13 criminal organization, wanted for homicide and involvement in terrorist organizations, was arrested last week in New Jersey, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced.
Johnathan Stanley Garcia-Vasquez was taken into custody on Dec. 20. Authorities in El Salvador had issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of aggravated homicide and terrorist activity.
"The United States is not a safe haven for international fugitives seeking to exploit our immigration laws to evade justice in their home countries," said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.
Fugitive operations officers arrested Garcia outside his New Jersey residence based on a removal warrant. He is currently in the custody of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the federal agency responsible for domestic immigration enforcement, pending removal from the United States.
Garcia was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents on June 9, 2016, near Hidalgo, Texas, and was issued an expedited removal notice. After being detained in ERO custody, an immigration judge granted Garcia bond on Jan. 27, 2017. He was released from custody after posting bond.
On Aug. 7, 2018, the Specialized Magistrate's Court of San Miguel, El Salvador, issued an arrest warrant for Garcia on charges of aggravated homicide and terrorist activity. On Oct. 30, 2018, an immigration judge ordered Garcia removed in absentia. When he failed to surrender for removal, ERO Newark breached his bond on Dec. 6, 2018.
ERO officers carry out removal decisions made by federal immigration judges under the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Noncitizens in removal proceedings are granted due process under U.S. immigration law. Garcia remains in custody as he awaits removal to El Salvador.
