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Jamul, Calif. — A male Honduran national, who was identified as a Mara Salvatrucha gang member, was apprehended by Border Patrol agents yesterday after he illegally crossed the border near Jamul.

Agents encountered Javier Cortez-Majano, 23, and four other illegal aliens, at about 6 a.m., yesterday in a rugged area about two miles north of the border. While agents processed the group of illegal aliens, they discovered Cortez’ MS-13 gang affiliation, along with his prior criminal history in Arkansas.

Cortez is currently in Border Patrol custody awaiting deportation proceedings.

In urban, rural, and remote border environments, the Border Patrol has maintained a layered enforcement approach through the right combination of personnel, technology, and infrastructure. Since October 1, 2008, the Border Patrol in San Diego sector has made nearly 35,000 apprehensions between our nation’s ports of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.