Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua now operates in 16 US states, engaging in human trafficking, drug dealing, and violent crime, as the Department of Homeland Security admits to a growing crisis.
At a Glance
- Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang, has expanded to 16 US states
- DHS internally acknowledges escalating migrant crime and violence
- The gang is involved in human trafficking, drug dealing, and violent crimes
- Biden’s border policies criticized for insufficient vetting of migrants
- Trump team plans to prioritize ending illegal border crossings and deporting criminal migrants
Tren de Aragua’s Alarming Expansion Across America
The violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has rapidly expanded its criminal operations to at least 16 US states, covering areas home to half of the US population. This alarming development has forced even the Biden administration to privately acknowledge the growing crisis of migrant crime and violence, contradicting their public claims of a secure border.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an internal intelligence memo warning about TdA’s growing presence and violent tendencies. This expansion parallels the surge in Venezuelan migrant communities across the country, raising serious concerns about community safety and national security.
🚨 BREAKING: Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua has expanded into Montana‼️
They’ve engaged in massive theft, violently taken over apartments, and done even worse in other states.
I’d recommend they try the west coast first!
REMAIN VIGILANT MONTANA!https://t.co/L89OHJeoin pic.twitter.com/2LbMExsxx7
— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) November 19, 2024
Criminal Activities and Their Impact
TdA’s criminal activities span a wide range of offenses, including human trafficking, drug dealing, organized retail crime, and violent confrontations with cartels. Specific incidents highlight the severity of the situation: a murder trial in Georgia, apartment takeovers in Colorado, and various crimes in New York and the Washington, DC area.
In New York, TdA has been linked to shootings, assaults, robberies, gun smuggling, and sex trafficking. The gang operates human trafficking rings in Tennessee cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. These activities not only endanger local communities but also strain law enforcement resources.
Border Policy Failures and Political Implications
The Biden administration’s border policies have come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that insufficient vetting of migrants has allowed TdA members to enter the country undetected. The strained relationship between the US and Venezuela further complicates efforts to identify and deport criminal migrants.
President-elect Donald Trump and his team have announced plans to prioritize addressing this crisis by ending illegal border crossings and implementing a robust deportation strategy for criminal migrants. This approach stands in stark contrast to the current administration’s policies, which many believe have fueled the current crisis.
The Urgent Need for Action
The expansion of Tren de Aragua across the United States represents a clear and present danger to public safety. With the gang now operating in states from California to New York, and even attempting to recruit in US schools, the need for decisive action has never been more urgent.
“They go from human trafficking to organized retail crime theft, and then they move into the drug trade, taking on the cartels in very violent, bloody battles that they’ve had,” said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch.
As the US Department of the Treasury officially designates Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization, it’s clear that addressing this threat will require a comprehensive approach. This must include strengthening border security, enhancing international cooperation, and implementing targeted law enforcement strategies to dismantle the gang’s operations within our borders. The safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration system depend on swift and effective action against this growing criminal threat.
