Overview

• A Virginia judge approved the DOJ's motion to dismiss an illegal firearm charge against Henrry Jose Villatoro Santos, an alleged MS-13 leader, but stayed the ruling until Friday to allow legal challenges to his deportation.
• The DOJ opted to drop the criminal case in favor of deporting Villatoro Santos, part of a broader strategy to prioritize removal over prosecution for alleged gang members.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled Villatoro Santos as a top MS-13 leader, though no gang-related charges were filed, raising questions about evidentiary support for the claims.
• Villatoro Santos’ lawyer warned that the dismissal could lead to his deportation to El Salvador without proper judicial review, echoing concerns raised in similar cases involving alleged gang members.
• The case highlights tensions between judicial processes and executive actions, with critics accusing the Trump administration of politically driven enforcement strategies targeting immigrant communities.