DHS Identifies Over 600 Migrants in US with Potential Ties to Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified over 600 migrants in the US who may have ties to the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
According to a report by NBC News, which obtained data regarding the gang, around 100 individuals were confirmed as members of the gang and have been recommended by DHS for placement on the FBI watchlist. The remaining 500 individuals are believed to be either victims, witnesses, or affiliates of the notorious gang.
The data showed that Tren de Aragua (TdA) is known to have an active presence in at least 15 states and could potentially be operating in eight more. DHS officials have been compiling data on the gang since earlier this year following a surge in crimes in major cities such as New York, where gang members have been linked to incidents including a police shooting. Other crimes, including sex trafficking in Louisiana, have also been attributed to the gang.
Since October 2022, over 100 individuals suspected of ties to the gang have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Another 75 have been arrested for immigration violations, with more than 20 cases referred for federal prosecution, per NBC News.
“DHS has an ongoing operation to crack down on gang members through re-screening certain individuals previously encountered, in addition to the rigorous screening and vetting at the border,” a DHS spokesperson said. “All individuals confirmed or suspected to be gang members are referred for criminal prosecution or detained and placed into expedited removal.”
Efforts to track the gang’s presence have been hindered by Venezuela’s refusal to cooperate with the US in sharing criminal histories and other critical information. This makes it more difficult for border agents to identify potential TdA members as they cross into the country. Experts have stressed that the 600 figure displays a lack of information about the gang’s presence in the country.
“The number is almost disturbingly low,” explained former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence and NBC News contributor Frank Figliuzzi. “It should be higher.”
Figliuzzi noted that TdA has yet to match the size or sophistication of more established gangs in the US, such as MS-13. “Most gang experts would say that TdA is not yet exhibiting signs of sophistication and advanced organization within the United States,” he said.
However, the gang has continued to work to increase its operations in the US. Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of a statewide operation targeting the gang, designating it as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
