DHS Touts Arrest of Arsonist Illegal Alien in New York

• May 18, 2026

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The Department of Homeland Security is touting the arrest of an illegal alien in New York who allegedly set fire to several cars, an arrest it says was made possible by the cooperation of local authorities with federal immigration enforcement.

On May 10, the Nassau County Police, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested Elder Lopez-Avalos, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who allegedly set fire to 10 cars, including in the vicinity of a daycare center.

On May 12, Lopez-Avalos was taken into ICE custody.

“Thanks to ICE and [Customs and Border Protection] law enforcement, this criminal illegal alien charged with arson was arrested by ICE on May 12,” DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement about the arrest.

NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK: @ICEgov has ARRESTED Elder Lopez-Avalos, a criminal illegal alien ARSONIST from Guatemala.

Lopez-Avalos set fire to 10 cars in Freeport — and several of the acts of arson took place in a parking lot near a children’s center.

Thanks to cooperation with… pic.twitter.com/HVeSxESGCg
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 15, 2026

“This pyromaniac set fire to 11 cars and was a clear public safety threat. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will arrest you and deport you,” she added.

Although DHS applauds Nassau County’s cooperation with ICE in the apprehension of Lopez-Avalos, it is harshly critical of some New York jurisdictions’ non-cooperation with ICE.

“Unfortunately, many New York jurisdictions do NOT cooperate with ICE. As of December 1, New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal aliens since January 20,” the release states.

George Caldwell | Correspondent

George Caldwell is a correspondent for the Daily Signal.

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