America’s border security gets a massive boost as ICE strikes a devastating blow against a dangerous Venezuelan gang infesting U.S. cities. The Trump administration’s bold enforcement strategy is yielding dramatic results against one of Latin America’s most notorious criminal enterprises.
At a glance:
• ICE has arrested 68 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua within just 48 hours
• Nearly 400 gang members have been apprehended since President Trump took office
• Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act allows for rapid deportation of gang members
• The gang operates in at least 14 U.S. states, including Texas, New York, and Colorado
• Tren de Aragua engages in human smuggling, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking
Crushing Venezuela’s Most Dangerous Export
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 68 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in just the past 48 hours. This latest action brings the total number of gang members apprehended to nearly 400 since President Donald Trump took office.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has emphasized the difficulty in identifying these criminals who blend into communities. “TDA members aren’t stupid. They don’t wear uniforms like the men and women here. They’re out there. They’re sophisticated, and they hide their crimes.”
The Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, allowing for enhanced enforcement actions. President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, giving authorities the power to arrest, detain, and deport non-citizens from nations involved in what is classified as an “invasion or predatory incursion” into the United States.
From Venezuela’s Prisons to America’s Streets
Tren de Aragua originated in a prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state before expanding throughout South America and into the United States. The criminal organization now has a significant presence in Texas, New York, Colorado, Wisconsin, and at least 10 other states.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently declared the gang a foreign terrorist organization within his state. “The fact of the matter is, this is something that has exploded in the aftermath of the President saying that if you’re from Venezuela, you’ll be allowed in the United States,” Abbott stated, placing blame squarely on the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies.
The gang has been particularly devastating in places like Aurora, Colorado, where they took over neglected apartment complexes. Jeanette Rodriguez, a local resident, described the situation: “It’s like taking a small city and putting it inside of a big city.”
In El Paso, authorities identified a major base of operations and arrested over 100 gang members at the Gateway Hotel, which was subsequently shut down due to criminal activity. This Venezuelan gang specializes in extorting migrants and has been linked to kidnappings, drug trafficking, and attacks on U.S. law enforcement.
Swift Action and Deportation
Last week, the Trump administration deported 250 illegal aliens belonging to the terrorist organization. Many of these criminals are being sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECOP mega-prison facility, with President Nayib Bukele confirming their arrival.
Todd Lyons emphasized ICE’s enhanced capabilities under the Trump administration: “But today I’m here to let everyone know that we are more sophisticated. We have more resources than ever to find them and get rid of them from the United States.”
The State Department has detailed the extensive criminal network, stating: “TdA is a transnational organization that originated in Venezuela with cells in Colombia, Peru, and Chile, with further reports of sporadic presence in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil. This brutal criminal group has conducted kidnappings, extorted businesses, bribed public officials, authorized its members to attack and kill U.S. law enforcement, and assassinated a Venezuelan opposition figure.”
Aren’t you glad we finally have serious people in charge?
