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Recently a shocking video has surfaced in which a gang is seen roaming around An apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. The video shows armed men roaming around the building, knocking on doors, and seeming unafraid of the consequences. How did things get so bad in a small town like Aurora?
South American Gang life has come to America Law enforcement agencies call the Tren de Aragua (or “TDA”) “the largest transnational criminal organization in the South American country of Venezuela”, estimated to have around 7,000 members.
The group was formed in the late 2000s in the Tocorón prison in the Venezuelan state of Aragua. U.S. intelligence agencies believe there are currently more than 1,000 TdA members in the United States. Members are often identified by visible tattoos. The most popular tattoo is anything commemorating Michael Jordan or his jersey number 23, but watches, trains, crowns, and gas masks are also favored by gang members.
Illegal immigrant from Haiti facing multiple charges was released at US border last year
With the southern border unsecured, more gang members could be entering all the time. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has identified nearly 70 members entering in the past two years. With nearly 2.5 million undocumented people crossing our southern border in 2023 alone, many more unidentified members could easily arrive.
Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang have taken over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado and are charging rent in exchange for ‘protection.’ (Edward Romero)
A “sanctuary city” limits its cooperation with the federal government where law-breaking immigrants are concerned. Such cities will create policies to help immigrants Who are living illegally in the country. In practice, sanctuary cities serve as magnets for people who cross our borders without permission.
Aurora is not a “sanctuary city,” but that hasn’t been much comfort to its residents. In February, the Aurora City Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution not to provide emergency services to migrants. That hasn’t made a difference.
Right next door, less than 10 miles away, is the sanctuary city of Denver, which has seen a dramatic increase in illegal immigration due to its lax policies and constant funding to attract migrants. In addition, according to the Center of Immigration Studies, Colorado has statewide policies of noncompliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Aurora’s police department has attempted to downplay what Americans saw in the horrifying video. Interim Aurora Police Chief Heather Morris posted a video on the department’s Facebook page and said “We’ve been talking to the residents here and learning from them what’s really going on, and there’s definitely a different picture. I’m not saying there aren’t any gang members living in this community, but what we’re learning here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.”
It’s a soft touch after the shocking video. People who live in a complex with roaming, armed, gang members may be afraid to tell the police what’s really going on.
TDA members have already been involved in several horrific crimes, including the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student who was killed while jogging at the University of Georgia. A member reportedly shot two police officers in New York in June and was also shot. found carrying guns He was living in a migrant centre.
In March, the National Gang Intelligence Center assessed that over the next year, “TDA members will ‘identify cities and municipalities across the U.S. that are vulnerable to criminal exploitation or where no established gangs exist.'” Next, TDA members will set up criminal networks including extortion schemes, sex, drug, and weapons trafficking.
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According to a resident, the alleged gang members have completely taken over the apartment building, even changing the locks. (Council Member Daniel Jurinski)
Cities and states already have laws against all of these things, but we’re seeing all over the country that some places lack the will to enforce those laws. The chaos on the streets of a place like Aurora doesn’t happen overnight. One of the first laws gang members break is entering our country illegally. Once they’re not prosecuted, they’re free to roam from safe city to not-so-safe city, committing crimes along the way and supported by a system that puts their rights above the rights of its citizens.
Our security lies in the enforcement of illegal activity. We have allowed this criminal element to thrive in our country for years because of inaction at the border. No American is safe without a secure border.
