ICE Harrisonburg arrests illegal alien with extensive criminal history
The Salvadoran alien is an alleged member of the notorious MS-13 terrorist criminal organization
STRASBURG, Va. / February 25, 2026 — ICE Homeland Security Investigations and its law enforcement partners arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador and alleged MS-13 gang member whose criminal history includes convictions for drug crimes, resisting arrest and felony illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Special agents with HSI Harrisonburg and officers with the Strasburg Police Department apprehended Cristian Medrano-Umanzor, 34, on Jan. 24.
Medrano-Umanzor has been associated with the MS-13 terrorist criminal gang.
“The streets will be safer now that Cristian Medrano-Umanzor has been arrested. His history of criminal conduct make him subject to removal from the United States,” said HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf. “The special agents of HSI Washington, D.C. remain dedicated to the protection of our neighborhoods and the safety of Virginia residents.”
Medrano-Umanzor illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official. Medrano-Umanzor applied for temporary protected status in January 2005, which was approved in May 2006. However, Medrano-Umanzor’s criminal activities subsequently rendered him ineligible for TPS.
Between June 2010 and July 2016, Medrano-Umanzor was arrested for multiple crimes, including the possession and distribution of narcotics, failure to obey a court order and failure to appear.
On April 26, 2018, a Justice Department immigration judge ordered Medrano-Umanzor removed from the United States to El Salvador. ICE removed him from the United States on May 11, 2018.
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Medrano-Umanzor Sept. 19, 2019, after he illegally reentered the United States near Rio Grande City, Texas.
On March 10, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office convicted Medrano-Umanzor of illegal reentry of a deported alien. Following his conviction, ICE again removed him from the United States to El Salvador.
Sometime later, Medrano-Umanzor illegally reentered the United States during the Biden administration’s catastrophic open border prior to his encounter with HSI and the Strasburg Police Department.
Members of the public with information regarding criminal offenders can make a report by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about HSI DC’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @HSI_DC.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
