ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Strasburg Police Department arrested Cristian Medrano-Umanzor, a 34-year-old citizen of El Salvador, in Strasburg, Virginia. According to law enforcement officials, Medrano-Umanzor is an alleged member of the MS-13 gang and has a history of criminal convictions that include drug offenses, resisting arrest, and illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Medrano-Umanzor originally entered the United States at an unknown time and place without inspection by immigration authorities. In January 2005, he applied for temporary protected status (TPS), which was approved in May 2006. However, subsequent criminal activities made him ineligible to maintain this status.
Between June 2010 and July 2016, Medrano-Umanzor was arrested multiple times for offenses such as possession and distribution of narcotics, failure to obey court orders, and failing to appear in court. On April 26, 2018, a Justice Department immigration judge ordered his removal from the United States. He was deported to El Salvador on May 11, 2018.
He returned to the United States illegally and was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol near Rio Grande City, Texas on September 19, 2019. On March 10, 2020, Medrano-Umanzor was convicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for illegal reentry after deportation. He was subsequently removed again to El Salvador.
Officials report that he later reentered the country illegally before being apprehended by HSI Harrisonburg agents and local police on January 24.
Eric Weindorf, Special Agent in Charge at HSI Washington D.C., stated: “The streets will be safer now that Cristian Medrano-Umanzor has been arrested. His history of criminal conduct make him subject to removal from the United States,” adding that “the special agents of HSI Washington, D.C. remain dedicated to the protection of our neighborhoods and the safety of Virginia residents.”
Authorities encourage anyone with information about criminal offenders to contact ICE through their tip line or online form.
Learn more about HSI DC’s mission on X at @HSI_DC.
