The Department of Homeland Security has recently uncovered a concerning development involving a notorious Venezuelan gang. Based on exclusive data obtained by NBC News, it has been revealed that there are over 600 migrants in the U.S. who may have ties to this dangerous criminal organization. This discovery has raised alarm among both local and federal law enforcement officials.
Approximately 100 out of the 600 migrants identified as “subjects of interest” by DHS have been confirmed as members of the gang. The department has recommended that these individuals be placed on an FBI watchlist. The remaining individuals, after a thorough review, could be identified as either victims, witnesses, or members of the gang.
According to the data, the Tren de Aragua gang, also known as TDA, is present in 15 states and possibly in eight others.
Homeland Security officials initiated the process of gathering information on TDA earlier this year in response to the increased criminal activity committed by gang members in cities like New York. The crimes associated with this gang range from sex trafficking in Louisiana to the direct shooting of two police officers in New York City.
According to the data, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has apprehended over 100 individuals who are believed to be connected to TDA and involved in criminal activities since October 2022. Out of these, 75 have been arrested on immigration-related charges, while more than 20 have been referred for federal prosecution.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), they are currently running an operation to target gang members by conducting re-screening of individuals who have been previously encountered. This effort is in addition to the strict screening and vetting procedures already in place at the border.
The spokesperson further stated that any individuals who are confirmed or suspected to be gang members will either be referred for criminal prosecution or detained and placed into expedited removal.
Law enforcement experts point out that the number 600 highlights the intelligence gap regarding the gang’s presence in the United States. This gap exists due to the Venezuelan government’s failure to provide sufficient information.
“The figure is rather concerning in its low value,” remarked Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence and a contributor to NBC News. “It ought to be higher.”
According to Figliuzzi, TDA has not yet achieved the scale or level of sophistication seen in larger gangs that have been active in the United States for a long time.
According to an expert in gang activity, TDA does not currently show signs of being sophisticated or highly organized in the United States.
According to the Justice Department, MS-13, originally formed in Los Angeles but now operating as a transnational gang with its roots in El Salvador, has an estimated membership of around 10,000 individuals in the United States.
A 2024 campaign issue
The size of TDA in the United States has become a significant concern in the presidential campaign. Aurora’s police chief and its Republican mayor, Mike Coffman, have refuted Trump’s exaggerated claims about the gang, according to NBC News.
According to Coffman, the TDA members have not assumed control of the city with a population of 400,000. Rather, there is a crime issue in several apartment buildings that have been neglected by their landlord for years.
According to a DHS official, although Trump has emphasized crimes committed by TDA members against Americans, it is important to note that the majority of TDA victims are Venezuelan migrants.
Ammon Blair, a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a former Border Patrol agent, suggests that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may not have accurate information on the total number of TDA members present in the United States. According to Blair, the figure of 600 indicates a lack of knowledge about the true extent of TDA presence within the country.
According to Blair, the Border Patrol was not giving enough attention to migrants crossing the border when he retired in November.
He expressed his concerns about the process, stating that it is unfortunate how they are simply rushed through. The Border Patrol has implemented an automated system that acts like a conveyor belt, processing and releasing them into the United States as quickly as possible, without asking any questions.
According to the data acquired by NBC News, it was revealed that ICE custody currently holds less than 30 out of the 600 individuals who are considered subjects of interest in regards to TDA.
According to a DHS official, a significant number of the 600 individuals have not been apprehended by ICE as they are currently being held by other law enforcement agencies.
The official also mentioned that ICE might be unaware of their whereabouts or that their ties to TDA or criminal activities have not been verified. Furthermore, arresting these individuals could potentially disrupt ongoing criminal investigations.
Venezuelan citizens who have completed their prison sentences for committing crimes can be released from custody. However, due to Venezuela’s refusal to repatriate its emigrated nationals, ICE is compelled to release them. This is in accordance with a federal court ruling that prohibits the indefinite detention of migrants.
If a migrant in ICE custody poses a real threat to public safety, ICE will make sure to keep the person detained, even if it means involving another law enforcement organization, according to a statement from a DHS official.