Man busted by ICE on first day of school on Long Island was ‘MS-13 fugitive’

An El Salvador man arrested by federal immigration agents outside of a Long Island high school was an MS-13 fugitive wanted by authorities in El Salvador, officials claimed.

The Sept. 3 arrest of Jaime Manuel Perez at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside his son’s school in Brentwood sparked backlash from activists — but federal authorities later said he was actually an international fugitive wanted on charges of extortion and threats to injure a person in his native country.

“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. 

Perez was described as a Salvadoran national flagged by Interpol with a Red Notice.

He had first been apprehended crossing the US border in Texas in 2019, placed in removal proceedings, and had a hearing scheduled for February 2026, according to ICE.

Perez does not appear to have a criminal record in the US, and remained in ICE custody pending his removal from the country.

But friends denied the migrant was no gang member.

“Jaime was arrested after dropping off his youngest son at Brentwood High School on the first day of school,” said Kaylen Pentaleon, Perez’s neighbor. 

“He has been an authorized worker in the US, and despite that, was taken away from his wife and two kids while on his way to work.”

Perez’s family declined comment.

His arrest at a traffic stop just outside Brentwood High School had drawn outrage from locals in Brentwood, where the Hispanic population is estimated at 70%.

“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 Perez’s detainment. 

Perez remained in ICE custody pending removal proceedings Thursday.