ICE Arrests Salvadoran Fugitive W
ICE Arrests Fugitive Gang Member in Florida
In June, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
arrested Cristian Alberto Rivas-Escalante, a 29-year-old from El Salvador, at a job site in Marco Island, Florida.
He was wanted in his home country and allegedly connected to the violent 18th Street Gang, a rival of MS-13, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
Entry and Release
Rivas-Escalante entered the U.S. illegally near Hidalgo, Texas, in 2015.
Though initially caught by Border Patrol, “he was later granted bond by an immigration judge,” ICE said, allowing him to stay in the country during legal proceedings.
Targeted Operation, Not a Raid
The arrest was made by ICE’s Fugitive Operations Team, with help from Homeland Security Investigations and local Florida agencies.
Officials clarified this was “not a broad immigration raid but a targeted operation due to his criminal history.”
His case reflects the Trump administration’s broader push to remove individuals labeled “criminal aliens.”
Enforcement Ramps Up
ICE detentions have surged under President Trump’s policies, with over 51,000 individuals in custody as of June 1—far exceeding agency capacity.
The increase follows approval of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which provided ICE with billions in extra funding. Rivas-Escalante will remain in custody during immigration proceedings and is expected to be deported to El Salvador.
Meanwhile, Arizona State Senator Analise Ortiz is under scrutiny for allegedly warning locals about ICE activity. A DHS official stated her actions “may amount to obstruction of justice.”
