A Salvadoran national with multiple prior convictions, Jose Madrid Reyes, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly stalking a U.S. government official, despite having been ordered removed from the country in 2022. The arrest occurred after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched an investigation following a report from the official, who expressed concerns for her family’s safety.
Reyes, who has a lengthy criminal history including multiple assault charges and driving under the influence (DWI) convictions dating back to 2006, remains in ICE custody pending deportation. His criminal record stretches back nearly two decades, with a history of assault and driving while intoxicated. In August 2006, Reyes was convicted in Manassas, Virginia, of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Nearly a decade later, in May 2017, he was convicted in Fairfax, Virginia, of misdemeanor assault on a family member. In September 2019, he was convicted of a second DWI in Fairfax County General District Court.
Despite being ordered removed from the country by an immigration judge in 2022 and denied permanent legal status in 2024, Reyes remained in the United States illegally. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the enforcement of immigration laws and the safety of government officials. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that ICE agents are dedicated to removing dangerous individuals, stating that the agency aims to protect American citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
According to officials, the investigation was initiated after a U.S. government official contacted HSI and reported feeling stalked. The official, whose name has not been released for her protection, feared for her family’s safety, including her child. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of immigration enforcement and the challenges faced by federal agencies in ensuring the safety of public officials.
ICE encourages the public to report crimes or suspicious activity by contacting the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or visiting www.ice.gov. The arrest of Reyes is part of a larger crackdown by DHS on criminal illegal aliens, which includes the recent arrest of five other individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child abuse.