ICE and FBI arrest criminal illegal alien and MS-13 gang member wanted in El Salvador for murder and drug trafficking
The international fugitive tried to hide in sanctuary New York in a futile attempt to evade justice
NEW YORK / April 21, 2026 — ICE New York City Fugitive Operations officers assigned to the Newburgh sub-office and special agents from the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force arrested criminal illegal alien and international fugitive Alejandro Perla Cruz during a targeted operation in Middleton April 13. The 37-year-old Salvadoran national is an MS-13 gang member wanted in his home country for homicide and narcotics trafficking.
“ICE New York City will not allow violent criminals to evade justice within the United States, and we will never waver in our mission and mandate to remove them from our country,” said Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo. “Protecting New Yorkers from criminal illegal aliens will always be a priority for this office. I am grateful to our officers and our FBI partners for their work in removing this gang member from our streets so he can be returned to his home country to face prosecution for his heinous crimes.”
Perla illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration official. Based on intelligence provided by the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force on April 7, ICE New York City confirmed the individual was an illegal alien with serious criminal history and planned a targeted joint operation to remove this alleged murderer from the streets of New York.
On April 13, at approximately 6 a.m., ICE officers and FBI special agents conducted a vehicle stop, confirmed Perla’s identity, and effected the arrest without incident. The alien fugitive is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
“MS-13 member Alejandro Perla Cruz fled his own country and entered the United States unlawfully to avoid being arrested for homicide and narcotics trafficking charges. The FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force worked with our federal immigration enforcement partners to arrest this violent foreigner and protect our communities against dangerous criminals living here illegally," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. "The United States is no longer a sanctuary for violent criminals, and the FBI will continue utilizing immigration authorities to safeguard our communities.”
If you have information about criminal alien activity in your community, call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or complete the online tip form.
Learn more about ERO New York City’s public safety mission on X at @ERONewYork.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
