Police in Jefferson Parish have arrested a man who is accused of being linked to the MS-13 gang before coming to the United States. The arrest happened on Monday in Metairie and was carried out after an investigation by federal authorities. Officials say the man had been living in the U.S. for several years after entering the country illegally.
Arrest in Jefferson Parish
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the man has been identified as Edgar Vixney Hernandez-Velasquez. He was detained in Metairie after a probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Officials claimed that he was a known member of the MS-13 gang in his home country, Honduras.
HSI’s acting special agent in charge in New Orleans, Matt Wright, said the arrest shows their commitment to protecting communities from violent gang members. He added that such actions are meant to improve public safety and reduce threats linked to organised crime.
Immigration Status and Legal Background
Federal officials stated that Hernandez-Velasquez entered the United States illegally in 2017. He also had a final order of removal, which means a judge had already ordered him to be deported. However, the Department of Homeland Security did not share more details about his immigration history or the specific allegations related to the gang.
Court records from New Orleans and Jefferson Parish show no criminal cases filed against him in those areas since he arrived in the U.S. This means there is no public record of local crimes connected to him during his time in Louisiana.
What Is MS-13?
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, started in Los Angeles during the 1980s. It was formed by immigrants from El Salvador. Over time, the gang expanded to different parts of Central America, including Honduras.
Today, MS-13 is described as a loosely organised network with members in several U.S. cities. According to research groups that study organised crime, the gang is mainly involved in:
- Extortion
- Local drug dealing
- Violent activities in certain regions
Even though the group is not centrally controlled, it has gained a reputation for violence and criminal operations across borders.
Wider Immigration Enforcement Efforts
This arrest comes at a time when federal authorities are increasing immigration enforcement efforts. During the administration of former President Donald Trump, there was a strong focus on deporting people who were believed to have criminal records or links to gangs.
Officials have highlighted arrests of individuals accused of being involved in gangs, trafficking, or violent crime. However, reports from court records and federal disclosures show that many immigrants detained in recent operations did not have serious criminal histories.
Large-scale immigration sweeps have taken place in parts of south Louisiana, Chicago, North Carolina, and Minnesota in recent months. While authorities say these actions are necessary for national security, critics argue that not all detainees have violent backgrounds.
