America’s open-border policies under the Biden-Harris administration have created fertile ground for a chilling threat: the Venezuelan gang *Tren de Aragua* (TdA). Once confined to South America, this ruthless criminal network has now embedded itself in at least 16 U.S. states, stretching its reach across areas that include nearly half of America’s population. Homeland Security has sounded the alarm, warning of the gang’s escalating violence and criminal operations.
Homeland Security officials, in a recent internal memo, revealed that TdA has extended its territory to states including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and even less-expected areas like Wyoming and Montana. Recent reporting underscores the gang’s growing foothold, with new activity identified in Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
The memo makes an ominous connection: the gang’s arrival often coincides with spikes in migrant populations. It specifically highlights the role of Venezuelan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration’s chaotic border crisis. With no system to identify gang affiliations, many TdA operatives entered undetected and began establishing criminal networks.
The gang’s operations are as varied as they are sinister. In New York, TdA members have been tied to assaults, gun smuggling, and even sex trafficking, particularly in Queens. Tennessee officials have linked the gang to human trafficking rings in Nashville and Memphis, alongside bloody turf wars with drug cartels.
Even smaller states like Wyoming are not immune. Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak recently confirmed the arrest of a suspected TdA member passing through the state in a stolen vehicle. While Kozak insists Wyoming hasn’t seen an influx of gang-related activity, this incident raises questions about how far TdA’s influence might spread.
The gang has also turned fraud into a lucrative business. In Florida, a suspected member exploited fraudulent check deposits to wire $118,000 back to Venezuela. According to Homeland Security, this is just one example of TdA’s strategy to siphon stolen funds to fuel its broader criminal enterprises.
The Biden administration’s border policies have enabled this dangerous expansion. Under Biden-Harris, over 7 million migrants have entered the U.S., many from countries with limited information-sharing agreements. Venezuela, controlled by Nicolás Maduro’s hostile regime, refuses to accept deportation flights from the U.S., complicating efforts to remove dangerous individuals.
President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that this will change under his administration. Trump has pledged to prioritize the eradication of TdA and similar gangs through a sweeping “mass deportation” initiative, utilizing both ICE and the U.S. military. “We will not allow dangerous criminals to infiltrate our communities any longer,” Trump declared at a recent rally.
The spread of *Tren de Aragua* underscores the consequences of weak borders and permissive immigration policies. Cities like New York and Chicago, which declared themselves “sanctuaries,” are now bearing the brunt of this surge in violent crime. Meanwhile, rural areas and traditionally safer states are no longer immune.
This is more than a law enforcement challenge—it is a direct threat to the safety and sovereignty of the United States. As the Biden administration continues to flounder on border security, communities across America are left vulnerable.
The next administration will face the urgent task of reversing this crisis and restoring law and order to a nation under siege. *Tren de Aragua* is not just a gang—it is a symptom of failed policies that must be addressed before more American lives are put at risk.
