ICE Agents Arrest Fugitive MS-13 Gang Member in Colorado

Carlos Membreno Portillo, wanted in El Salvador, was apprehended in Grand Junction

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Denver arrested a known member of the violent MS-13 gang, Carlos Membreno Portillo, who was a fugitive wanted in El Salvador for aggravated terrorist organization membership. Membreno Portillo was taken into custody on Monday in Grand Junction, Colorado and will be held until he is deported from the United States.

Why it matters

The arrest of this MS-13 gang member in Colorado is part of ongoing efforts by federal immigration authorities to target and remove dangerous foreign national criminals from the United States. MS-13 is considered one of the most violent transnational criminal gangs operating in the U.S. and has been designated by the U.S. government as a "priority target."

The details

ICE agents assigned to the Denver field office arrested Carlos Membreno Portillo, a known member of the MS-13 gang, on Monday in Grand Junction, Colorado. Membreno Portillo is a fugitive wanted in El Salvador for aggravated terrorist organization membership. He will be held in custody until he can be expelled from the United States.

  • Membreno Portillo was arrested on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Carlos Membreno Portillo

A known member of the violent MS-13 gang who was a fugitive wanted in El Salvador for aggravated terrorist organization membership.

ICE

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which is responsible for identifying, arresting, and deporting dangerous foreign national criminals from the United States.

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What’s next

Membreno Portillo will remain in custody until he can be deported back to El Salvador to face charges there.

The takeaway

This arrest demonstrates ICE's ongoing efforts to target and remove violent transnational gang members like those from MS-13 who pose a threat to public safety in the United States.