David Alejandro Orellana-Aleman, an accused high-ranking MS-13 member, was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland, in a joint operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI. Matthew Elliston, Maryland’s ICE director, stated that Orellana-Aleman’s arrest strikes a significant blow to MS-13’s organization, contributing to safer communities.
The operation, which targeted violent crime and immigration violations, reportedly netted 39 arrests and also involved the FBI’s Virginia Homeland Security Task Force. According to The Center Square, law enforcement in Virginia and Maryland have tracked MS-13’s presence in the region since the early 2000s.
The Trump administration reported a 627% rise in illegal migrant arrests during February compared to the previous administration’s last year in office.