Maryland Sanctuary Policies Let Dangerous MS-13 Criminal Roam Free Repeatedly

Nelson Vladimir Amaya-Benitez, a 26-year-old MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, has plagued Maryland for nearly ten years. His crimes—armed robbery, theft, malicious burning, and vehicle theft—began after he illegally entered the U.S. in 2016. Deported in 2019, he returned undetected, resuming his violent spree. Local authorities in Maryland had him in custody multiple times but ignored five ICE detainers, allowing him back onto the streets. ICE finally arrested him on May 12, 2025, in Gaithersburg, but the damage was done.

This case reveals a dangerous flaw in our system. Certain local governments embrace policies that protect criminals like Amaya-Benitez from federal authorities. These sanctuary policies don’t just fail communities; they actively harm them. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warns that such decisions jeopardize public safety. How many families must suffer before we act?

Amaya-Benitez’s story is a wake-up call. It shows what happens when ideology trumps responsibility. Sanctuary jurisdictions aren’t saving lives; they’re risking them. We need to confront this crisis head-on, prioritizing the safety of every American.

Sanctuary jurisdictions, spanning cities and states, refuse to cooperate with ICE, rejecting detainers that would keep dangerous offenders locked up. Montgomery County, Maryland, released Amaya-Benitez five times between 2017 and 2024, despite his MS-13 ties and growing rap sheet. Each release emboldened him to commit more crimes, from armed robbery to malicious burning, terrorizing communities.

MS-13, a transnational criminal organization with 8,000 to 10,000 U.S. members, thrives in this environment. The gang recruits young Central Americans, enforces brutal initiations, and drives extortion, drug trafficking, and murder. Amaya-Benitez’s actions align with MS-13’s violent motto: ‘mata, roba, viola, controla.’ Sanctuary policies enable this chaos, weakening federal efforts to dismantle such networks.

Some defend these policies, claiming they build trust between immigrants and police. But this argument ignores the victims—citizens and immigrants alike—who suffer when criminals roam free. Research shows sanctuary jurisdictions don’t curb crime; they prolong it. The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act seeks to tie federal funding to ICE cooperation, a practical step to restore accountability.

President Trump’s April 28, 2025, executive order aims to penalize sanctuary jurisdictions by withholding federal funds. This decisive action faces pushback from cities like Chicago and New York, which argue that such measures violate local autonomy. Federal courts have issued injunctions, citing constitutional concerns, but these objections pale against the harm caused by releasing criminals. Public safety demands action, not excuses.

ICE struggles with a $10 billion budget, a 3 million-case immigration court backlog, and limited detention space. Amaya-Benitez’s undetected reentry highlights these gaps. Laws like the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act and programs like Secure Communities aim to address them, but local defiance stalls progress. Senators Katie Britt and Thom Tillis push for solutions like the WALL Act to secure borders and expedite deportations.

Critics argue sanctuary policies encourage crime reporting by immigrants. Yet, evidence suggests programs like Secure Communities reduced Hispanic crime reporting because they exposed criminals, not because of mistrust. Stronger enforcement, targeting gang members and repeat offenders, protects communities far better than leniency ever could.

The Amaya-Benitez case lays bare a harsh truth: sanctuary policies sacrifice safety for politics. Every release of a criminal like him endangers neighborhoods. DHS, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, is fighting to change this, but they need support. Lawmakers must advance bills like the No Funding for Sanctuary Jurisdictions Act to ensure compliance. Citizens must hold local leaders accountable for prioritizing ideology over lives.

This battle extends beyond one gang member. It’s about securing our borders, upholding the law, and protecting our communities. Data confirms that strict enforcement deters crime: as lawful immigration rose since the 1980s, crime rates fell. But lax policies let criminals exploit weaknesses, and we can’t tolerate that. The path forward is clear—back ICE, support Trump’s agenda, and end sanctuary policies.

Will we allow dangerous offenders to dictate our future? Or will we demand a system that safeguards Americans? The answer lies in our resolve. Stand for enforcement, reject sanctuary defiance, and protect our communities. The time to act is now.