ICE Boston Removes illegal Salvadoran gang leader from United States
Fugitive wanted in El Salvador for homicide, terrorist affiliation
BOSTON / November 26, 2025 — ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston deported an illegal Salvadoran alien and MS-13 gang leader from the United States. Officers from ICE Boston removed Wilmer Alexi Garcia-Manzanarez from the U.S. to El Salvador Nov. 3 and turned him over to Salvadoran authorities. Garcia-Manzanare, a known MS-13 gang leader and subject of Interpol Red Notices for homicide and terrorist affiliation.
In addition to his foreign criminality, Garcia-Manzanarez has criminal convictions in the U.S. for burglary, menacing/intimidation with a weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol, property damage, and driving without a license.
“The removal of Wilmer Alexi Garcia-Manzanarez means that the residents of Massachusetts are exponentially safer,” said ICE ERO Boston acting Field Office Director David Wesling. “Garcia-Manzanarez represents a significant threat to our Massachusetts communities. Aside from his significant criminal history in the U.S., authorities in his home country wanted him to face charges for homicide and terrorist affiliation related to gang membership. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of American citizens by arresting and removing criminal alien threats from New England.”
U.S. Border Patrol arrested Garcia-Manzanarez after he illegally entered the U.S. through the Canadian border March 6, 2001, they issued a notice to appear before a justice department immigration judge and released him from custody. On March 18, 2002, the DOJ immigration judge ordered Garcia-Manzanarez removed from the U.S. to El Salvador; however, he refused to leave the country.
Between January 2007 and October 2012, ICE officers removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the U.S. to El Salvador on three occasions; however, he illegally returned to the U.S. after those removals.
Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Garcia-Manzanarez‘ arrest. In January 2020, Interpol issued a public Red Notice for the apprehension of Garcia-Manzanarez. Officers from ICE Boston arrested Garcia-Manzanarez in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Feb. 18, 2024.
ICE Boston removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the U.S. Nov. 3 and turned him over to Salvadoran authorities. ICE Boston would like to thank ICE El Salvador and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement. This removal was a result of the successful coordination case between ICE ERO Boston, OPLA Boston and the ICE ERO El Salvador its SAFE Task Force.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
