DHS slams Spanberger's sanctuary policies after twice-deported Illegal immigrant from El Salavador charged with rape in Virginia

An illegal immigrant accused of kidnapping and raping a woman in Northern Virginia had previously been deported from the United States and amassed a lengthy criminal record before his latest arrest, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Fairfax County Police recently arrested Juan Arevalo on charges of rape and abduction. According to DHS, Arevalo is a citizen of El Salvador who is in the country illegally. ICE has lodged an immigration detainer and is requesting that Fairfax County transfer him into federal custody rather than release him from jail if he becomes eligible. DHS says Arevalo has an extensive criminal history dating back decades. According to the department and court records, he has previous convictions for aggravated assault, attempted maiming, destruction of property, assault, illegal reentry, drug possession, obstruction of justice, failure to appear and making a false report, along with prior arrests for abduction, identity theft and larceny.

"This criminal illegal alien has been charged with rape and abduction. He has a laundry list of prior convictions for aggravated assault, destruction of property, and drug possession, as well as prior arrests for identity theft and larceny," Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. "DHS is calling on Governor Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Fairfax County to commit to not releasing this dangerous criminal from jail, and to instead turn him over to ICE custody so that we can remove him from our nation and end his crime spree in our country. Virginia sanctuary politicians need to stop playing Russian roulette with American lives and work with ICE law enforcement to keep criminals out of our communities."

According to DHS, Arevalo entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1991. He was convicted of destruction of property in 1998, deported in 2003, and later convicted of illegally reentering the country in 2013. "Governor Spanberger's reckless sanctuary policies have made Virginia a hotbed for illegal alien criminals," a DHS spokesperson said. "The stories of the victims and facts speak for themselves. So far in 2026, illegal aliens have allegedly committed the majority of all murders in Fairfax County. It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live in the United States of America. When you break our laws, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S."

In January, Fairfax County Police arrested Arevalo after a high-speed chase on Interstate 495. Police said he abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot before being apprehended on outstanding warrants, including abduction and assault on a family member. Arevalo was also facing an assault charge in Prince George's County, Maryland, after Fairfax County police planned to extradite him earlier this year. That assault charge was also later dropped. "These are serious charges and our office is committed to prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law and the evidence. He is currently being held," prosecutors said.