texas border operations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas, 21st District), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, We asked for answers regarding the growing number of infectious diseases. the presence of the Venezuelan gang Torren de Argua (TdA) in Texas and throughout the United States;
“The alleged TdA affiliates committed heinous crimes against Americans,” the Texas lawmakers said in a letter. Both were released during your term after entering Texas illegally earlier this year. In addition, on October 4, 2024, authorities arrested three more people suspected of being involved in a September robbery in northwest Dallas in which a woman was allegedly tied up and her fingers cut. They announced that they had arrested a Venezuelan illegal immigrant who did not comply during the crime.
“Furthermore, TdA targets illegal aliens smuggled into the United States for sex trafficking. The South American organization is targeting illegal alien women in eight states, including Texas, to repay illegal alien women to pay off their smuggling debts. women are forced into prostitution, making them vulnerable to all forms of abuse.
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“Our law enforcement community and the Texans they serve deserve answers about the extent of TCO’s infiltration under this administration.”
Read the full letter here or below.
Dear Secretary Mayorkas:
The Biden-Harris administration is importing illegal Venezuelan aliens at an alarming rate and allowing criminals, including the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, to gain a foothold in communities in Texas and across the country. There is. Texans and Americans deserve better.
The significant increase in crimes committed by undocumented Venezuelans is a direct result of this administration’s deliberate policies. Since October 2022, 117,000 Venezuelans have entered the United States on parole through the fraud-ridden Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) program. Additionally, nearly 750,000 Venezuelans have been encountered at the southern border since January 2021, many of whom were released into the U.S. interior.
As you know, on October 5, 2024, law enforcement agencies conducted “Operation Aurora.” This is similar to a situation recently seen in Aurora, where a sting operation targeted TdA members occupying a San Antonio apartment complex that had been forcibly occupied by the gang. Colorado. Authorities arrested 19 undocumented Venezuelans, four of whom were arrested after TdA received numerous accusations that they were seizing vacant apartments for drug-related crimes, human trafficking and intimidation of apartment workers. Confirmed to be a TdA member. One of the arrested suspects was reportedly the leader of the TdA gang. Additionally, 15 of the 19 people detained were being held by immigration agents by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as being at high risk of being deported from the United States.
Fortunately, the attack ended without incident. This task force, comprised of law enforcement officers from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Federal Bureau of Investigation, Border Patrol, and HSI, should be commended for its efforts. The arrests of TdA members and other criminal aliens are a welcome development, but if DHS does not take appropriate action to secure our borders and prevent the mass release of illegal aliens into our communities. Otherwise, this dangerous incident and others like it could have been avoided.
In fact, this is not the first case involving TdA in Texas. On September 26, 2024, it was reported that DPS had arrested more than 20 suspected TdA members at an El Paso hotel on charges including human smuggling, prostitution, and drug possession. On September 19, 2024, HSI and SAPD reportedly arrested two individuals associated with TdA for their involvement in a firearms smuggling operation. In March 2024, more than 100 suspected TdA members were arrested for their involvement in an assault on National Guard and DPS personnel at the El Paso border.
TdA affiliates are accused of committing heinous crimes against Americans. Two Venezuelan illegal immigrants have been charged with raping and murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray and throwing her dismembered body into a Houston bayou. Both were released during your term after entering Texas illegally earlier this year, but to TdA, where they are believed to be connected. Additionally, on October 4, 2024, authorities arrested three more Venezuelan illegal aliens for their alleged involvement in a September robbery in northwest Dallas in which a woman was tied up and told she would have her fingers cut. announced. Failure to comply during the crime.
Additionally, TdA targets illegal aliens smuggled into the United States for sex trafficking. South American organizations are forcing illegal alien women into prostitution in eight states, including Texas, to pay off smuggling debts, leaving them vulnerable to all forms of abuse.
TdA members also show brazen indifference to public security authorities. On July 30, 2024, the Border Patrol issued a bulletin warning that TdA had given more than 1,000 members the “green light” to fire and attack law enforcement. In response to the proliferation of gangs and threats to its citizens, and as the federal government fails to protect its borders from foreign criminal organizations, Texas is increasing its security efforts.
Our law enforcement community and the Texans they serve deserve answers about the extent of TCO penetration under this administration. Therefore, we ask that you respond to the questions below by October 31, 2024.
Please provide a complete description of the number of Venezuelans released into the country through CHNV, other forms of parole, release after border arrest, or otherwise released into the country, including: The last known whereabouts of each Venezuelan, broken down by state. Venezuelans released into the U.S. without identification and their last whereabouts, broken down by state. The number of Venezuelans released after committing crimes in the United States and their last known whereabouts, broken down by state. Number of released Venezuelans with known or suspected gang affiliation and their last known whereabouts, broken down by state. Number of released Venezuelans known or suspected to be members of TdA. The number of Venezuelans paroled into the United States and subsequently deported, and the number of Venezuelans released from the southern border who received a notice to appear. Number of Venezuelans released from the southern border who received reporting notices. How many criminal aliens has DHS arrested in the United States as of January? 2021? Please include the following information: date of arrest, location of arrest, date the alien crossed the border, date of release from the border, gang affiliation (if applicable), criminal charges received, past criminal history, country of origin, and current status (foreign national). Is the person detained in an ICE facility, on a non-custodial record, or removed from the United States?) How many criminal aliens have been convicted of crimes such as human trafficking, child exploitation, and forced labor? How many criminal aliens arrested at the federal or local level are in ICE custody? What actions will DHS and/or ICE take going forward to reduce the presence of TdA in Texas? Will you conduct any operations? What other transnational criminal organizations are present in Texas? Seek cooperation from federal immigration detainees and sanctuary jurisdictions in Texas that limit or refuse to cooperate with authorities What policies and actions has DHS implemented to address this issue?
Sincerely,
/X/