A notorious Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua, has infiltrated at least 16 U.S. states, engaging in violent crimes and human trafficking, as the Biden administration struggles to contain the escalating threat.
At a Glance
- Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang, has expanded to at least 16 U.S. states
- The Department of Homeland Security warns of increasing violence as Venezuelan migrant populations grow
- Gang activities include human trafficking, drug trade, fraud, and violent confrontations with cartels
- Critics blame Biden’s border policies for allowing gang members to enter the country
- The U.S. Treasury has designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization
Alarming Expansion of Tren de Aragua Across America
In a shocking revelation that underscores the consequences of lax border policies, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stark warning about the presence of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in at least 16 U.S. states. This expansion covers regions inhabited by nearly half of the U.S. population, marking a significant security threat that the Biden administration seems ill-equipped to handle.
The internal DHS memo, which contradicts the administration’s public claims of a secure border, paints a grim picture of escalating migrant crime and violence. “As the population of Venezuelan nationals continues to increase, the potential for violent TdA migrants is highly probable,” the memo states, highlighting the direct correlation between uncontrolled immigration and rising crime rates.
A Trail of Violence and Exploitation
Tren de Aragua’s activities in the U.S. are not merely speculation but are evidenced by a series of brutal crimes across multiple states. In Georgia, gang members face murder charges. Colorado has seen apartment takeovers, while New York and the Washington D.C. area report various violent incidents linked to the group. The gang’s reach extends to human trafficking operations in Tennessee cities and organized retail crime nationwide.
“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.
The gang’s modus operandi includes not just violent crimes but also sophisticated financial fraud. In Florida, a suspected TdA member managed to withdraw $118,000 using fraudulent checks, wiring the money back to Venezuela. This incident exemplifies how these criminal activities directly fund international organized crime, undermining U.S. national security.
Biden Administration’s Failed Policies and Inadequate Response
The rapid expansion of Tren de Aragua across the United States is a damning indictment of the Biden administration’s border policies. Despite President Biden’s claims that the situation is “under control,” the reality on the ground tells a different story. The administration’s strained relationship with Venezuela further complicates efforts to deport these criminals, effectively providing them with a safe haven on American soil.
“Do you hear yourself? Only a handful of apartment complexes in America were taken over by Venezuelan gangs…” Senator JD Vance’s response to ABC’s Martha Raddatz’s downplaying of the situation underscores the severity of the threat and the media’s reluctance to acknowledge it fully.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s decision to sanction Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization in July is a step in the right direction. However, it comes too late and does little to address the root cause of the problem – the porous southern border that allows these criminals easy access to the United States.
A Call for Decisive Action
As Tren de Aragua continues to expand its operations, including attempts to recruit new members in U.S. schools, the need for a robust and immediate response becomes increasingly urgent. The incoming administration, led by President-elect Donald Trump, has pledged to prioritize this crisis by ending illegal border crossings and deporting criminal migrants. Such measures are critical to reversing the tide of violence and restoring law and order to American communities besieged by this foreign criminal element.
The presence of Tren de Aragua in 16 U.S. states is not just a law enforcement issue; it’s a national security crisis that demands immediate and decisive action. The Biden administration’s failure to secure the border and properly vet incoming migrants has directly contributed to this dangerous situation.
As Americans face the consequences of these misguided policies, the call for a return to stricter border control and effective law enforcement grows louder. The safety and security of American citizens must take precedence over misguided compassion that ultimately benefits criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.
