MS-13 Gang Member Arrested in Virginia Amid New Immigration Policies
A suspected MS-13 gang member and alleged mass murderer has been apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia. Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez, a 27-year-old from El Salvador, was detained following an executive order from newly inaugurated Governor Abigail Spanberger, which reduces local cooperation with ICE.
Why It Matters
This arrest highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and law enforcement cooperation in Virginia. Governor Spanberger’s decision to retract previous policies may complicate federal enforcement actions against undocumented immigrants and individuals involved in violent crimes.
Key Developments
- Hernandez is accused of participating in five murders in El Salvador and is affiliated with the notorious MS-13 gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha.
- The gang has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization due to its violent activities.
- Hernandez entered the U.S. illegally in June 2015, subsequently being arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol. He was released during immigration court proceedings.
- He was ultimately detained by ICE on December 31 in Alexandria, Virginia, for illegal entry and remaining in the U.S. without proper documentation.
- Spanberger’s executive order rescinds cooperation requirements for local and state law enforcement under her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin.
Full Report
Arrest and Allegations
Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez was apprehended by ICE in Alexandria, Virginia. DHS sources state that he has claimed involvement in multiple murders, including assertions that he shot rival gang members from the 18th Street gang. In particularly gruesome allegations, sources indicated that Hernandez participated in the torture and dismemberment of a gang rival who was reportedly still alive during the act.
A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) report revealed that Hernandez illegally entered the United States near Hidalgo, Texas, in June 2015. Initially apprehended by Border Patrol, he was released during the immigration court process. Following referrals from USCIS, he was returned to custody by ICE at the end of December 2022.
Governor’s Executive Order
On her first day in office, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order that diminishes the requirement for local and state law enforcement to assist ICE. This new directive repeals the previous executive order from her Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, which mandated collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Spanberger asserted the need for local law enforcement to concentrate on their primary functions, such as community safety and crime investigation, rather than federal immigration laws.
Context & Previous Events
The U.S. State Department designated the MS-13 gang as a Foreign Terrorist Organization last year due to its violent activities. Under previous Virginia legislation, local law enforcement agencies were required to divert resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Spanberger’s order signifies a shift toward a policy that prioritizes local law enforcement’s core responsibilities, potentially influencing future collaboration between state and federal entities regarding immigration enforcement.
