MS-13 Gang Member and Undocumented Immigrant Arrested in Florida Amid Routine ICE Sweep

Luis Merary Peralta-Sevilla, a 31-year-old Honduran national and confirmed member of the notorious MS-13 gang, was taken into custody in Palm Beach County, Florida, on April 14. The arrest was part of a coordinated operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons announced the arrest, emphasizing Peralta-Sevilla’s gang affiliation. MS-13 is officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Peralta-Sevilla is currently pending removal proceedings before a Department of Justice immigration judge and will remain in ICE custody during the process.

The arrest occurred during a traffic stop where Peralta-Sevilla was found driving without a valid license, leading to the seizure of his vehicle. Video obtained by Fox News shows him exiting his truck and being handcuffed by law enforcement officers.

Peralta-Sevilla initially entered the United States illegally in July 2013, crossing through Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. He was encountered by Border Patrol agents and admitted to his undocumented status. Despite this, he was released on bond while awaiting immigration hearings. Notably, his next court date is scheduled for April 2027—more than a decade after his initial entry and arrest.

Currently held in the Palm Beach County Jail, Peralta-Sevilla awaits transfer to ICE custody as his removal proceedings continue. ICE framed the arrest as part of its routine daily enforcement aimed at apprehending criminal aliens and immigration violators with no legal right to remain in the country.

This case underscores the persistent challenges of immigration enforcement, including the backlog and delays in immigration courts that allow individuals like Peralta-Sevilla to remain in the U.S. for years. While ICE touts arrests of gang members to justify its actions, the broader system’s failures contribute to prolonged uncertainty and limited accountability.

As ICE continues to prioritize detaining individuals with criminal ties, the public must remain vigilant about the agency’s practices, transparency, and the human costs of prolonged immigration detention and court delays.