ICE arrests 2 criminal aliens released by Maryland county after detainers not honored

BALTIMORE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested two criminal aliens after their release by Prince George’s County, Maryland, despite each having immigration detainers. Those arrested include a member of MS-13 and a convicted sex offender.

“These arrests are yet another example of a local jurisdiction choosing to release demonstrated public safety threats to the community, rather than honoring lawful detainers and allowing ICE to take custody of these individuals and keep them off of the street,” said Francisco Madrigal, field office director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore field office.

On Nov. 19, ICE officers with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Capital Area Task Force arrested Jose Luis Sorto Gomez, 33, a citizen of El Salvador and a known member of MS-13. Sorto has been arrested several times by Prince George’s County between 2016 and 2020, but despite five ICE detainers lodged during that time, was released after each incident.