The unfortunate reality surrounding the Biden-Harris administration’s border policy is becoming clearer with the emergence of a notorious Venezuelan gang now extending its operations into the United States. Known as Tren de Aragua, this gang is setting up shop in various states while immigration authorities scramble to deal with the fallout—ineffectively, one might add. The lack of proper vetting and intelligence means that these criminal affiliates can slip right under the radar and into communities across America.
Experts are raising alarms about the gaping holes in identifying Venezuelan migrants with ties to Tren de Aragua. Reports confirm that immigration officials are unable to differentiate between law-abiding citizens and potential criminals due to the fraying diplomatic relations with Venezuela. With the government on ice, one can only imagine the toolbox needed for identifying gang members is lighter than a feather. After all, under the current administration, it seems like anyone can waltz across the border as long as they promise to be on their best behavior.
Here’s How A Venezuelan Gang Was Able To Infiltrate The US And Wreak Havoc In Major Citieshttps://t.co/KL3ThyK9fu
— DC Enquirer (@DcEnquirer) September 23, 2024
A prime example of Tren de Aragua’s growing influence can be seen in El Paso, Texas, where a local hotel was shut down due to its reported connections with drug use and prostitution associated with the gang. Investigations by the Dallas Police Department point towards ongoing issues that—surprise, surprise—appear to be exacerbated by a local surge of Venezuelan migrants. While some authorities claimed that the gang’s activities weren’t rampant in other Texas cities, El Paso has already proven to be a hotbed thanks to its sizeable Venezuelan population.
But it doesn’t stop there. In Aurora, Colorado, police have identified ten Tren de Aragua members linked to a wave of criminal activity at apartment complexes—everything from motor vehicle theft to gunfire. The takeover of these buildings has become so pronounced that the property management has essentially conceded defeat. One would think that turning U.S. cities into battlegrounds wouldn’t be part of the American dream, yet here we are.
INSIDE THE DANGERS OF THE VENEZUELAN GANGS LIVING IN AMERICA:
Venezuelan gangs have been welcomed into America over the past few years due to the border crisis, from police attacks in NYC and now extorting people in Aurora, Colorado things are only set to get worse from here as… pic.twitter.com/SZeUaFvHll— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) September 4, 2024
Despite Tren de Aragua being classified as a transnational criminal organization by the Biden Treasury Department, the approach to security remains bewilderingly lax. With no established tattoos or identifiers for the gang and a massive influx of migrants, identifying members feels more like playing a game of hide-and-seek than maintaining border security. Interpol’s records could theoretically help, but good luck accessing them in a timely manner when a system designed to safeguard the nation is bogged down by inefficiencies.
This mass migration has exploded in recent years, with reports of over half a million Venezuelans entering the United States since Biden took office. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has vowed to designate Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization, signaling a response that is long overdue. Yet it can’t be overlooked that the administration has rolled out catch and release policies that enable this chaos. When will the federal government deploy measures that genuinely protect American interests? The uncertainty remains, while the streets bear witness to the spiraling consequences of unchecked migration policies.