WHITE DEER, PA- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador with a lengthy criminal record spanning decades, including a federal conviction for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, a news release from the agency reported.
ERO Philadelphia arrested Arnoldo Prieto-Lopez, 51, on Oct. 20. Prieto-Lopez is still subject to deportation despite his lawful permanent resident status since he is a clear threat to public safety.
“This foreign-born criminal alien has repeatedly abused children, victimized communities, and exploited his immigration status,” ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Michael T. Rose said. “He’s convicted of child cruelty and neglect, and trafficking fentanyl. He has endangered families and exhibited a pattern of criminal conduct over decades. Our officers will not allow criminals to hide behind immigration status. We will arrest, detain, and remove those who threaten public safety,” the agency wrote.
Prieto-Lopez was encountered by authorities at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low, in White Deer on July 30, 2024, and issued an immigration detainer and warrant for his arrest, ICE said. In a rare show of cooperation in a red state, local police honored the immigration detainer, and ERO Philadelphia arrested Prieto-Lopez during a safe transfer on Oct. 20.
Following is a partial list of Prieto-Lopez's criminal record across multiple jurisdictions:
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Oct. 4, 1988: Attempted robbery (Los Angeles County Superior Court, sentenced to 15 months of confinement
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June 2, 1998: Willful cruelty to a child, Riverside County Superior Court, California
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May 26, 1999: Failure to provide for a minor, San Bernardino County Superior Court, California. Sentenced to 15 days of confinement and 36 months of probation
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Aug 19, 2014: Attempted money laundering, Maricopa County (AZ) Superior Court; sentenced to two years of probation
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Dec. 20, 2023: Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, US District Court for the District of New Jersey; sentenced to 24 months in prison
Prieto-Lopez is in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
DHS noted that immigration detainers are “critical public safety tools” that focus resources on aliens subject to removal who have been arrested for criminal activity.
“Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved because it allows ICE to arrest these individuals in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large where a criminal alien can continue harming the community in which they would have otherwise been released.”
This is an argument the Trump administration, border czar Tom Homan, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have been having with so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions, highlighting the public safety concerns of having ICE agents accost illegal aliens out on the street instead of secure settings.
“Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ICE to take criminal aliens into custody rather than expending resources locating these aliens at large.”
DHS noted the agency continues to focus its attention on the most serious criminal offenders, including “murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals.”
“Nationally, 70% of the illegal aliens arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or pending charges in the United States. This figure does not include those wanted for violent crimes in other countries, individuals with INTERPOL notices, human rights violators, gang members, terrorists, and others who pose significant threats to public safety.
“The list is extensive,” the agency concluded.
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