ICE Arrests MS-13 Member in Florida: Removal Proceedings Begin

ICE Arrests Honduran National Linked to MS-13 in Palm Beach County

On April 14, 2026, agents from ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) — the division that carries out deportations — arrested Luis Merary Peralta-Sevilla in Palm Beach County, Florida. The operation involved U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. ICE confirmed that Peralta-Sevilla is a member of MS-13, which the U.S. government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

Peralta-Sevilla first entered the United States illegally in July 2013. Border Patrol agents stopped him in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where he admitted he was a Honduran citizen with no legal right to be in the country. A Department of Justice immigration judge gave him bond — meaning he was released and allowed to stay in the U.S. while his case moved through immigration court. His next immigration court hearing had been scheduled for April 2027. Florida Highway Patrol stopped him during a vehicle check and arrested him for driving without a valid license. ICE then took him into custody. He is currently held at Palm Beach County Jail while awaiting transfer to ICE detention for removal proceedings — the formal legal process to deport someone from the United States.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons stated that Peralta-Sevilla will remain in custody while his removal case is decided by an immigration judge. This case is part of ICE's ongoing daily enforcement operations across the country, which focus on people with criminal histories or gang affiliations who have no legal status in the U.S.

What This Means If You or Someone You Know Is in Removal Proceedings

Being placed in removal proceedings does not mean deportation is automatic. Everyone in removal proceedings — including people with criminal records — has the right to appear before an immigration judge and present their case. Missing a court date, however, can result in a deportation order issued without you present. If you have a scheduled immigration court hearing, attending it is critical.

What to Do

• Do not miss your immigration court hearing. If you have a hearing scheduled, attend it. A judge can order your deportation if you do not show up.
• Contact an immigration lawyer immediately if ICE has detained you or a family member. You have the right to speak with an attorney. Lawyers recommend doing this before making any statements to immigration officers.
• If you are released on bond, follow all conditions of your release and keep all court dates. Violating bond conditions can lead to re-arrest and detention.
• If you believe you qualify for protection — such as asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or another form of relief — tell your attorney right away. Deadlines in immigration court move fast, and missing them can close off your options.