Swansenreport

Why is anyone desirous of allowing or needing these illegal criminal aliens to remain here in the United States? I’ve yet to see any logical or reasoned argument for keeping them here. It appears that those who are supportive of Tren de Aragua not having been deported have completely failed to grasp the meaning and nature of “illegal criminal alien.” Those supporters of not having Tren de Aragua deported need to read and understand Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), codified under Title 8 of the United States Code (8 U.S.C.). Members of this gang are not likely neighborhood individuals who would come by your grandmothers house and see if her lawn needs mowing, or stop by to shovel her walkway or driveway of snow during the winter.

Tren de Aragua (TdA) is a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization that has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its expansion beyond Venezuela into various countries, including the United States. Its illegal entry into the U.S. is closely tied to broader migration patterns, border security challenges, and the gang’s ability to exploit vulnerabilities in immigration systems. Below is an explanation and detailed exploration of how Tren de Aragua has entered the U.S. illegally, the mechanisms facilitating this infiltration, and the implications of its presence.

Origins and Nature of Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua originated as a prison gang in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison in Aragua state, evolving from a localized criminal entity into a sophisticated transnational organization. It engages in a wide range of criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, and money laundering. The gang’s expansion beyond Venezuela began as it followed migration routes across Latin America, capitalizing on the mass exodus of Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse and political instability under the Nicolás Maduro regime. This diaspora, numbering millions since the mid-2010s, provided a cover for TdA members to blend in with legitimate migrants and extend their operations internationally.

Pathways of Illegal Entry into the United States

The illegal entry of Tren de Aragua into the United States is largely a byproduct of the unprecedented surge in migration across the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly from Venezuela, in the early 2020s. Several key factors and pathways have enabled this infiltration:

1. Mass Migration from Venezuela:

    * Since 2014, Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian crisis has driven over 7 million people to leave the country, with a significant portion heading north through Central America and Mexico toward the U.S. border. Among these migrants are TdA members who conceal their criminal affiliations, posing as ordinary asylum seekers or economic migrants.

    * The sheer volume of Venezuelan migrants—over 1.5 million of whom have entered the U.S. illegally or through parole programs in recent years—has overwhelmed border screening processes, making it difficult to identify gang members amidst the larger population.

2. Exploitation of Border Policies:

    * U.S. border policies under the Biden administration, such as the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela (CHNV) parole program introduced in January 2023, aimed to provide an “orderly pathway” for up to 30,000 nationals per month from these countries. However, critics argue this accelerated migration process reduced vetting rigor, allowing TdA members to enter legally under false pretenses before overstaying or engaging in criminal activity.

    * Additionally, the discontinuation of the CBP One Application system in January 2025—previously used by migrants like suspected TdA member Luis Ernesto Veliz Riera to schedule entry at border ports—shifted more migration to illegal crossings, further complicating identification efforts.

3. Porous Southern Border:

    * The U.S.-Mexico border has seen record levels of illegal crossings, with Texas reporting over 530,400 apprehensions since the launch of Operation Lone Star. TdA members have exploited these gaps, often facilitated by human smuggling networks they control or collaborate with. For instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported the arrest of four confirmed TdA members attempting to cross illegally on New Year’s Eve 2024, highlighting the gang’s use of clandestine border routes.

    * Unlike traditional gangs like MS-13, whose members are often identifiable by distinctive tattoos, TdA operatives are described as “ghost criminals” due to their ability to blend in and the lack of cooperation from Venezuelan authorities in providing criminal records.

4. Collaboration with Other Criminal Networks:

    * TdA has established alliances with Mexican cartels and other regional gangs, such as Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital, which control smuggling routes into the U.S. These partnerships provide logistical support, enabling TdA members to cross the border and establish footholds in American cities.

Evidence of Presence and Activities in the U.S.

Tren de Aragua’s illegal entry has led to its documented presence in at least 16 states, with operations reported in cities like Chicago, New York, Denver, Miami, and El Paso. Specific incidents underscore its infiltration:

* Aurora, Colorado: In 2024, TdA members were linked to the takeover of apartment complexes, with viral footage showing armed individuals storming buildings. While local police described these incidents as isolated, they fueled perceptions of TdA’s growing influence.

* New York City: Since 2022, TdA has been tied to shootings, retail theft, forced prostitution, and drug dealing, with members reportedly recruiting in migrant shelters.

* Texas: Over 100 TdA members were arrested at the Gateway Hotel in El Paso in 2024 for human smuggling and drug possession, prompting Governor Abbott to designate TdA a foreign terrorist organization in September 2024.

* High-Profile Crimes: TdA members have been implicated in the murders of Laken Riley in Georgia and Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, both in 2024, amplifying public and political concern.

Challenges in Detection and Response

Detecting and countering TdA’s illegal entry is complicated by several factors:

* Lack of Intelligence Sharing: The Venezuelan government, hostile to U.S. interests, doesDetails not share criminal databases, leaving U.S. authorities reliant on confessions, tattoos, or circumstantial evidence to identify TdA affiliates.

* Integration with Migrant Communities: TdA preys on vulnerable Venezuelan migrants, using them as a shield and recruitment pool, which makes distinguishing criminals from victims difficult.

* Evolving Tactics: Unlike more visible gangs, TdA operates covertly, avoiding overt displays of power that might trigger immediate law enforcement crackdowns.

U.S. Government and State Responses

The U.S. response has escalated as TdA’s presence has become undeniable:

* Federal Actions: In July 2024, the Treasury Department sanctioned TdA as a transnational criminal organization, and in January 2025, President Donald Trump designated it a foreign terrorist organization via executive order, alongside cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel. The State Department offered a $12 million reward for information on TdA leaders.

* Deportation Efforts: In February 2025, the Department of Homeland Security deported 177 Venezuelans, including 80 alleged TdA members, to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, sparking legal controversy.

* State-Level Initiatives: Texas launched a strike team in September 2024 to target TdA, elevating it to a Tier 1 gang status. Governor Abbott has demanded federal action, attributing TdA’s entry to “open border policies.”

Implications and Broader Context

The illegal entry of Tren de Aragua into the U.S. reflects broader challenges in managing migration and transnational crime. Critics argue that lax border security has enabled this infiltration, while others contend that the gang’s reach is exaggerated for political gain, as seen in Trump’s 2024 campaign rhetoric. Data suggests TdA lacks the centralized structure of groups like MS-13 in the U.S., with many crimes attributed to individual members rather than coordinated operations directed from Venezuela.

Nonetheless, TdA’s presence amplifies concerns about public safety, immigration vetting, and the unintended consequences of humanitarian crises abroad. Its ability to exploit illegal entry points underscores the need for enhanced border security, international cooperation, and targeted law enforcement strategies to prevent further entrenchment.

In summary, Tren de Aragua’s illegal entry into the United States is a multifaceted issue driven by migration flows, border vulnerabilities, and the gang’s adaptability. While its full scope remains debated, its emergence as a criminal force in the U.S. highlights the intersection of immigration policy and national security in an increasingly interconnected world.