ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien and Latin Kings Gang Member

DHS Press Releases

Filed March 30th, 2026

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

ICE announced the arrest of Bryan David Tasiguano Leon, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador and documented Latin Kings gang member. Despite an ICE detainer being lodged, NYC authorities released him back into the community. Tasiguano Leon first entered the country illegally in 2022 and was previously released by federal authorities.

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What changed

ICE officers arrested Bryan David Tasiguano Leon in New York City on March 30, 2026. Tasiguano Leon is an Ecuadorian national, confirmed Latin Kings gang member, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was previously released by the Biden administration. On February 14, 2026, NYPD arrested him for assault, but despite ICE lodging a detainer, sanctuary politicians released him back into the community rather than honoring the detainer request.

Immigration counsel and compliance professionals should note this as an example of continued federal-local enforcement tensions in sanctuary jurisdictions. Entities should ensure they understand detainer obligations and potential liability issues when choosing not to honor ICE detainers. This arrest highlights ongoing federal efforts to target illegal aliens with criminal histories and gang affiliations.

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DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien and Latin Kings Gang Member Released by NYC Sanctuary Politicians

DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien and Latin Kings Gang Member Released by NYC Sanctuary Politicians

Release Date: March 30, 2026
Bryan David Tasiguano Leon first entered the country illegally in 2022 and was RELEASED by the Biden administration

WASHINGTON –– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the arrest of Bryan David Tasiguano Leon, a dangerous criminal illegal alien and Latin Kings gang member, who was released from jail into the community after sanctuary politicians refused to work with ICE and honor a detainer which was lodged for him.

On February 14, 2026, officers with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested Tasiguano Leon, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador and Latin Kings gang member for assault. Despite an arrest detainer lodged against him, sanctuary politicians RELEASED Tasiguano Leon from jail back into the community.

Bryan David Tasiguano Leon, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador and Latin Kings gang member

ICE officers arrested Tasiguano Leon on March 4, 2026 after conducting a targeted enforcement operation in New York City. He remains in ICE custody pending removal from the U.S.

Tasiguano Leon first illegally entered the United States on November 11, 2022 through the southern border. Despite entering the country illegally, he was RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration. This gang member was previously arrested for assault and family neglect. Tasiguano Leon was issued a final order of removal by a judge on February 27, 2025.

“ New York sanctuary politicians chose to release this Latin Kings gang member from jail back into New York City communities. This gang member was previously arrested for *assault and family neglect,”* said **Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Not only was this illegal alien released by the Biden administration, but he was also released again by New York’s sanctuary politicians. Enough is enough. Sanctuary politicians must stop releasing criminal illegal aliens back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes.”

New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an Executive Order turning New York City into a shield for violent criminal illegal aliens to reoffend and create more innocent victims.

Mamdani’s action came after Governor Kathy Hochul’s legislative proposal to bar local police departments from partnering and cooperating with ICE law enforcement.

There are currently 7,113 aliens in custody across the state of New York with an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses.

Americans can report tips to our brave law enforcement to help keep their communities safe when sanctuary politicians won’t by contacting our ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) .