ICE arrests Salvadorian illegal alien after kidnapping and robbery conviction

NEW ORLEANS— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an unlawfully present Salvadorian national that was convicted of a robbery and kidnapping when officers arrested Juan Misael Canales-Garcia, 52, Jan. 23 after he was released by the Alabama Department of Corrections prison system, where he was serving time.

Canales-Garcia illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and place and an immigration judge ordered him removed on March 30, 1992. He has reentered and been removed three additional times since then. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama arrested Canales Jan. 13, 2005, for first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to serve five years for kidnapping and 21 years for robbery June 15, 2007.

ICE filed an immigration detainer with the Alabama Department of Corrections on Dec. 10, 2024. Following his arrest, ICE issued him a reinstatement of a prior order of removal, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal to El Salvador.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing theonline tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in Louisiana on X, formerly known as Twitter, at@ERONewOrleans