The renowned Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has infiltrated across the southern US border, according to a warning from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The gang, known for its violent turf wars and connections to organized crime, has become a focal point for federal authorities as they attempt to curb its influence within the country.
TdA Members Illegally Entering the US
An internal CBP intelligence bulletin, shared with Fox News, revealed alarming details about TdA members entering the US illegally. The situation escalated further when Fox News reported the brother of a suspect in the killing of Georgia student Laken Riley has ties to the gang.
Both individuals had illegally entered the United States., emphasizing the growing concerns over the gang’s presence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also raised alarms about a potential collaboration between TdA and the notorious MS-13, adding to the complexity of the situation.
However, CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources expressed frustration at the difficulty in deporting Venezuelan gang members due to the socialist country’s refusal to take them back.
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United States National Security Implications
Despite encountering over 335,000 individuals at the border in Fiscal Year 2023, only 834 Venezuelans were deported, according to ICE data. The administration initiated repatriation flights to Venezuela in October as a deterrent, facing criticism from immigration activists concerned about human rights abuses in the country.
Administration officials have expressed the intention to increase these repatriation efforts, considering them a critical component of a broader immigration strategy.
While the United States faced challenges with the deportation process, a recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted the Maduro regime’s decision to halt flights of deported migrants from both the US and Mexico after the reimposition of economic sanctions. This development followed approximately 1,800 returns that concluded at the end of January.
The intricate nature of handling Venezuelan migrants is further complicated by exceptions to sanctions on a Venezuelan airline, facilitating deportation flights. However, these efforts faced obstacles, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to address the influx of TdA members and other migrants from Venezuela.
As CBP remains on high alert, the situation underscores the challenges posed by the refusal of Venezuela to cooperate in repatriating its citizens, raising concerns about the potential impact on US national security.
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