ICE Arrests Salvadoran Fugitive Who Has Long Criminal History

In June, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Cristian Alberto Rivas-Escalante, a 29-year-old from El Salvador, who had an outstanding fugitive warrant in his home country. The arrest took place at a work site on Marco Island, Florida.

Authorities describe Rivas-Escalante as a “criminal alien” with suspected ties to the violent 18th Street Gang, a group known for its rivalry with MS-13, which is recognized by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

ICE reported that Rivas-Escalante crossed into the U.S. illegally near Hidalgo, Texas, in December 2015. Border Patrol agents apprehended him at that time, but an immigration judge later released him on bond while his case was pending.

His recent arrest was conducted by ICE’s Fugitive Operations Team, with support from Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Marco Island Police Department. Officials stressed the operation was targeted, not a mass immigration raid.

The case comes amid heightened ICE activity under President Donald Trump’s direction to prioritize the removal of immigrants with criminal records. Officials say these efforts have significantly increased the number of people in custody.

As of June 1, more than 51,000 individuals were detained, surpassing ICE’s funded capacity. This surge follows the approval of the so-called Big, Beautiful Bill, which provided billions in additional funding for enforcement operations.

Rivas-Escalante will remain in U.S. custody during immigration proceedings before being deported to El Salvador. Separately, Arizona State Senator Analise Ortiz has faced criticism for allegedly alerting residents about ICE actions, which a DHS official suggested could amount to obstruction.