Federal immigration agents arrested an El Salvadoran man outside a Long Island high school on Sept. 3 who U.S. officials say was wanted in his native country as an MS-13 fugitive, authorities said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified the man as Jaime Manuel Perez and said he was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and wanted by Salvadoran authorities on charges of extortion and threats to injure a person. "This alleged MS-13 associate resided mere feet from school property and went about his life virtually unchecked and consequence-free — until his past finally caught up with him," Homeland Security special agent in charge Ricky Patel said in a statement.
ICE said Perez was first apprehended after crossing the U.S. border in Texas in 2019, was placed in removal proceedings and had a hearing scheduled for February 2026. Officers took him into custody outside Brentwood High School, where relatives said he was dropping off his youngest son on the first day of classes. ICE said Perez remained in its custody pending removal from the United States.
Friends and neighbors disputed the federal account, saying Perez was an authorized worker who supported a wife and two children and denying he had gang ties. "He has been an authorized worker in the U.S., and despite that, was taken away from his wife and two kids while on his way to work," said Kaylen Pentaleon, a neighbor. Perez's family declined to comment through intermediaries.
The arrest drew immediate backlash from local activists and elected officials who said targeting a parent at a school had terrorized the largely Hispanic community. Brentwood's population is estimated to be about 70% Hispanic. "By targeting a parent at a school, ICE has not protected our community — they have terrorized it — The first day of school should never be overshadowed by immigration raids," Assemblyman Phil Ramos said in a statement after the detention.
ICE provided no public record indicating Perez had been convicted of crimes in the United States. Authorities said the case involving the alleged MS-13 connection originated with Salvadoran investigators, who obtained the Red Notice that flagged him as an international fugitive.
The episode is the latest to spark debate over immigration enforcement tactics in communities with large immigrant populations, particularly when detentions occur near schools. Local advocates said the timing of the arrest, on the first day of classes, heightened fear among parents and students and called for greater limits on enforcement actions in and around school properties.
ICE officials said they coordinated the arrest with other law enforcement partners and that the agency seeks to remove foreign nationals who are the subject of valid foreign warrants or Red Notices. Perez's case will proceed through ongoing removal proceedings; federal officials did not provide additional details about any potential extradition process to El Salvador.
Community leaders and immigration advocates said they would continue monitoring the case and pressed for more information about how and why the arrest was carried out at the school. Federal authorities said their investigation into the international fugitive allegation remains active and that Perez is being held pending steps to effect his return to El Salvador.