ICE New York has announced the arrest of an alleged MS-13 associate, wanted in El Salvador for aggravated extortion and making threats, who was found living near a Long Island middle school. This information was disclosed in a recent news release.
According to the ICE New York press release, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents apprehended Jamie Manual Perez Perez, a 42-year-old Salvadoran national. He had been residing close to the school despite being wanted by Interpol for serious charges. The release details that Perez Perez had entered the United States illegally years ago and was encountered again during a coordinated vehicle stop involving HSI, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ICE highlighted that his arrest raised immediate public safety concerns due to his alleged MS-13 affiliation and proximity to school property.
The same ICE release indicates that Perez Perez was initially detained by U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, on April 15, 2019, after crossing the border without proper admission or inspection. He was issued a notice to appear in immigration court, with removal proceedings leading to an individual hearing scheduled for February 2026. ICE emphasized that despite this earlier encounter, he remained in the U.S. until his arrest in September 2025, illustrating the extensive investigative efforts often required in transnational gang cases.
ICE New York officials quoted in the release noted that having a fugitive with an Interpol Red Notice living near school grounds highlights the agency’s focus on disrupting MS-13 networks embedded within residential communities. HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel said that Perez Perez had lived “virtually unchecked,” underscoring the difficulty of locating international fugitives attempting to evade detection. ICE further mentioned that Perez Perez remains in custody pending removal while coordinating with Salvadoran authorities regarding his criminal charges abroad.
According to information from the official ICE website, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – New York oversees Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations across the region. Their focus includes transnational criminal organizations, human trafficking, gang activity, and fugitives with international warrants. The office collaborates closely with federal, state, and local partners to identify threats, conduct large-scale criminal investigations, and remove individuals posing public safety risks. ICE New York also engages with the public through reporting mechanisms such as its tip line and online portals.
