- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Waterbury Today
By the People, for the People
Alleged MS-13 Gang Member Wanted for Pastor's Murder Faces Deportation
DHS begins process to deport Salvadoran national accused of killing pastor in home country
Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:52pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The deportation of an alleged MS-13 gang member wanted for murder in El Salvador exposes the complexities of removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.Waterbury TodayThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated deportation proceedings for Danny Granados-Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member from El Salvador who is accused of murdering a pastor in his home country. Granados-Garcia was previously released into the U.S. in 2016 near the Texas border despite the outstanding warrant for his arrest in El Salvador.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, even those wanted for serious offenses in their home countries. It also raises questions about the categorization of 'non-criminal' immigrants and the potential public safety risks they can pose.
The details
Granados-Garcia was arrested by the FBI last month in Waterbury, Connecticut and is now in ICE custody facing imminent deportation. He had entered the U.S. in 2016 claiming to be an unaccompanied minor, despite being over the age of qualification. DHS says he was released by the Obama administration near the Texas border at that time, despite the outstanding warrant for his arrest in El Salvador for the murder of a pastor.
- Granados-Garcia was arrested by the FBI on March 10, 2026.
- Granados-Garcia entered the U.S. near the Texas border in 2016.
The players
Danny Granados-Garcia
A Salvadoran national and alleged MS-13 gang member who is wanted in El Salvador for the murder of a pastor.
Lauren Bis
Acting Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security.
Kash Patel
FBI Director.
What they’re saying
“Thanks to ICE this MS-13 gang member wanted for murdering a pastor in his home country is off Connecticut streets. This is an example of an arrest the media counts as a 'non-criminal' because he lacks a rap sheet in the United States.”
— Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
“Danny Antonio Granados-Garcia, a Salvadoran national, was in the U.S. with an active El Salvadorian arrest warrant for aggravated homicide — wanted for the alleged murder of a pastor.”
— Kash Patel, FBI Director
What’s next
DHS says Granados-Garcia will remain in ICE custody until he is deported back to El Salvador to face charges for the pastor's murder.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of deporting undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records, even those wanted for violent offenses in their home countries. It also raises questions about how 'non-criminal' immigrants are categorized and the potential public safety risks they can pose.
