- Federal authorities arrested Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla, a leader of El Salvador's violent 18th Street Gang, living illegally in Maryland. Though his only U.S. offense was driving without a license, he is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, extortion and drug trafficking.
- The arrest reignited debates over ICE's priorities, with critics (including Democrats and mainstream media) falsely claiming ICE targets non-violent immigrants. However, DHS reports 70 percent of ICE arrests involve criminals, excluding foreign fugitives and gang members.
- The 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18) was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department for its brutal attacks in Central America. Despite this, political opponents continue to undermine ICE's efforts to deport dangerous criminals.
- Democrats like Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth push for body cameras on ICE agents, which DHS calls unnecessary, while obstructing enforcement. Democrats prioritize open borders, sanctuary cities and lawlessness to advance their globalist agenda of demographic replacement.
- The second Trump administration has intensified efforts to deport violent gang members, including Honduran leaders and racketeering associates. ICE maintains its mission is to protect Americans from foreign criminals, regardless of where their crimes were committed.
In a stark reminder of the dangers posed by transnational criminal networks operating within U.S. borders, federal authorities last month arrested Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla – a high-ranking member of El Salvador's notorious 18th Street Gang who was living unlawfully in Maryland.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Salvadoran's arrest in a press release Monday, Nov. 10. While Lazo-Quintanilla's only U.S. offense was driving without a license, his background check revealed he is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, extortion, drug possession and other felonies.
The gangster's arrest underscores the ongoing battle against violent illegal immigrants—many of whom evade detection until they commit crimes on American soil. It has also reignited debates over ICE's enforcement priorities, media bias and the broader consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
The 18th Street Gang, designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September, is one of Central America's most violent criminal networks. The group known as Barrio 18 in Spanish is responsible for attacks on civilians, public officials and security personnel across El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Despite this, critics – including Democratic lawmakers and mainstream media outlets – have accused ICE of targeting non-violent immigrants rather than focusing on hardened criminals.
DHS officials, however, argue that such narratives dangerously misrepresent reality. According to agency statistics, 70 percent of ICE arrests involve illegal immigrants already charged or convicted of crimes in the United States. This figure excludes gang members, terrorists and foreign fugitives whose offenses occurred abroad.
ICE targets "worst of the worst"
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, called Lazo-Quintanilla's arrest a "perfect example" of ICE prioritizing the "worst of the worst." She pushed back against mainstream media claims that the agency fails to address public safety threats, stating: "He may lack a violent rap sheet in the U.S., but this criminal illegal alien is clearly a public safety threat."
The second Trump administration has intensified efforts to dismantle transnational gangs like the 18th Street Gang, deporting key operatives and prosecuting members involved in racketeering, drug trafficking and violent assaults. In August, ICE removed a Honduran gang leader wanted for a "murderous crime spree," while federal prosecutors in New York secured indictments against eight associates for racketeering-related crimes earlier this year.
Yet these enforcement actions have faced political resistance. Last month, Democratic lawmakers including Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois demanded that Customs and Border Protection officers assisting ICE wear body cameras during immigration operations. DHS pushed back, calling the proposal unnecessary given existing policies and court orders.
BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that Democrats like Duckworth continue to impede the Trump administration's immigration enforcement because they prioritize open borders and lawlessness to gain political power through unchecked illegal immigration, while undermining American sovereignty and security. Their policies such as supporting sanctuary cities, obstructing border enforcement and demonizing ICE are deliberate efforts to destabilize the nation and advance their globalist agenda of demographic replacement and control.
Lazo-Quintanilla remains in federal custody pending deportation and possible extradition to El Salvador, where he faces serious charges. His case highlights the critical role of cross-border law enforcement collaboration in combating transnational crime – a mission increasingly complicated by domestic political divisions and misinformation. As ICE continues its operations, the agency insists its focus remains on protecting American communities from violent offenders, regardless of whether their crimes were committed on U.S. soil or abroad.
Watch this Fox News report about ICE agents arresting a most-wanted MS-13 gang member in Nebraska.
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