ICE Arrests MS-13 Member at USCIS Green Card Appointment
A 24-year-old Salvadoran man walked into a USCIS office on Long Island expecting to move closer to a green card. Instead, he was arrested by ICE agents who had been tipped off by USCIS itself. The case is now raising serious questions for thousands of immigrants who use the Special Immigrant Juvenile program to apply for legal status.
On May 8, 2026, Jose Calles Henriquez, 24, a Salvadoran national and self-confessed MS-13 gang member, walked into a USCIS office on Long Island to apply for a green card. He never left as a free man. ICE agents were waiting for him.
How USCIS Flagged Him Before the Appointment
USCIS officers identified Calles Henriquez as a gang member through what the agency calls "rigorous screening and vetting." Once flagged as a public safety threat, USCIS alerted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of ICE. Agents from HSI and ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) made the arrest. Calles Henriquez is now in ICE custody and has been placed in removal proceedings — the formal legal process to deport someone from the United States.
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According to court documents, Calles Henriquez entered the US illegally in 2013 by crossing the Rio Grande on a raft near Hidalgo, Texas. Border Patrol issued him a notice to appear before an immigration judge at that time. He was applying for lawful permanent resident status (a green card) through the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program — a program created by Congress in 1990 for young undocumented immigrants who a juvenile court has determined cannot reunite with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
What Is the SIJ Program and Why Is It Under Scrutiny?
The SIJ program gives eligible young immigrants a path to a green card and eventually US citizenship. By law, there are no criminal bars or good moral character requirements to get SIJ classification approved. Last year, USCIS released a report warning about widespread fraud and national security risks in the program. USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the agency will use "all available resources" to detect threats within the program going forward.
What to Do
- If you have a USCIS appointment and have any past legal issues — including old immigration violations — talk to an immigration lawyer before you go. Lawyers recommend reviewing your full history before any in-person USCIS visit.
- If you are in removal proceedings (meaning ICE or a judge has started the process to deport you), you have the right to appear before an immigration judge. Do not miss your court hearing date.
- If you applied for a green card through the SIJ program and have concerns about your case, contact an immigration attorney right away. The program is under increased government scrutiny in 2026.
- If ICE arrests you or a family member, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents without legal advice.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Anyone with a pending SIJ petition who has gang affiliations, criminal contacts, or prior immigration violations should consult an attorney before their next USCIS appointment — showing up without preparation could result in immediate arrest rather than adjudication of the case. Under current USCIS policy, officers are actively coordinating with HSI, so the interview itself can become a law enforcement encounter. If you are already in removal proceedings, make sure you appear at every immigration court hearing; missing a hearing can result in an automatic deportation order issued in your absence. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney to review your specific situation before taking any action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program?
The SIJ program is a federal program created in 1990. It allows young undocumented immigrants to apply for a green card if a juvenile court has found they cannot reunite with one or both parents because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. It can eventually lead to US citizenship.
Can USCIS arrest me at my own appointment?
Yes. USCIS can alert ICE or HSI if it identifies someone as a public safety threat during the screening process. ICE agents can then be present at the appointment to make an arrest. This is rare, but the current administration has stated it will use USCIS offices as part of enforcement efforts.
What happens after ICE places someone in removal proceedings?
Removal proceedings are the formal legal process to deport someone. The person must appear before an immigration judge, who will decide whether they can stay in the US or must leave. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you in immigration court, though the government does not pay for one.
Does the SIJ program have criminal bars — meaning can a criminal record disqualify you?
By law, there are no criminal bars or good moral character requirements to get SIJ classification approved. However, USCIS and ICE can still investigate applicants and make arrests based on public safety concerns, as this case shows.