BALTIMORE, MD—An undocumented Salvadoran national and alleged member of MS-13 was arrested in Maryland, on January 25, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Anderson Geovany Romero, 19, was apprehended in Hyattsville by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore after he was released from the Prince George’s Detention Center. Romero had been arrested by the Prince George’s County Police Department on January 21 for possession of a loaded handgun. ERO Baltimore lodged an immigration detainer with the detention center the same day, but Romero was released.

This is not Romero’s first encounter with law enforcement. He was previously arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol near Roma, Texas, on July 11, 2015, and served with a notice to appear. He was then transferred into ERO custody. In July 2021, Romero was arrested by the Ocean City Police Department in Maryland for having an open container of alcohol. He was convicted of that offense in August 2021.

A Baltimore Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Romero’s deportation to El Salvador on April 24, 2023, after he missed his immigration hearing.

“MS-13’s designation as a terrorist organization highlights the grave threat it poses to public safety. The arrest of Romero sends a clear message: ICE is unwavering in its commitment to protecting our nation’s communities,” said ERO Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “Removing egregious criminal aliens from our Maryland streets is a win for law-abiding residents and a critical step toward ensuring safer neighborhoods. I commend the relentless dedication of our officers in prioritizing public safety and upholding immigration law.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photos via ICE ERO Baltimore