Well, it looks like Texas isn’t messing around anymore.
Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua a “foreign terrorist organization,” and if you thought that was just for show, think again. This comes after more than 100 of these gang members forced their way across the U.S. border earlier this year, bringing with them a reputation for violence, smuggling, and murder. You know, just the kind of “model citizens” the Biden administration has been so diligent about keeping out—sarcasm intended.
Abbott’s not playing games. At a press conference Monday, he laid out Texas’ aggressive new statewide operation targeting these criminals, with plans to impose mandatory 10-year minimum sentences for any Tren de Aragua members caught smuggling people into Texas. Oh, and there’s going to be a database to track these thugs because, let’s face it, they’ve been popping up all over the country like a bad rash.
This gang isn’t your run-of-the-mill criminal enterprise. They’ve been wreaking havoc nationwide, taking over apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, hijacking a historic hotel in El Paso, and even allegedly robbing jewelry stores in broad daylight. Just last year, one of their members, who entered the country illegally, shot two NYPD officers in Queens. That migrant had his asylum case dismissed by the Biden administration and was, apparently, quickly recruited by the gang. But sure, let’s keep pretending there’s no crisis at the border.
Inside The Gateway Hotel, Texas, Reportedly Housing Tren de Aragua Gang Members
Destroyed furniture, shattered windows, and splattered, dried, red/brown stains (potentially blood splatter)
Tenants say Venezuela Gang took the hotel over
“They tried to hit me with a crowbar.… pic.twitter.com/ClkIEuMy4d
— Gabriela Iglesias (@iglesias_gabby) September 12, 2024
Abbott’s got one goal here: to make Texas a no-go zone for these criminals. As he bluntly put it, “They have a target on their back, and we are going after them.” And can you blame him? Back in March, more than 100 suspected Tren de Aragua members violently stormed the border, pushing past razor wire and even injuring Texas National Guard members in the chaos. The footage of that moment? It’s a gut punch. Migrants trampling over law enforcement, and yet, charges against hundreds of them were dismissed, with dozens just let go. Let that sink in.
Yesterday, I announced Texas is launching a statewide operation to go after the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.@TxDPS will coordinate with federal and local partners through Texas Anti-Gang Centers to stop these dangerous criminals.
Our #1 priority is keeping Texans safe. pic.twitter.com/LHH9lQaLt0
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 17, 2024
Meanwhile, this gang is spreading like wildfire across the country. Two cops in New York were shot. Jewelry stores in Colorado were robbed. And yet, the response from Washington is… crickets. It’s no wonder former President Donald Trump is making this a centerpiece of his campaign, promising to launch a massive deportation operation if re-elected. Trump has repeatedly hammered the Biden-Harris administration for allowing criminals to pour into the U.S., accusing them of rolling out the red carpet for dangerous individuals from places like Venezuela’s prisons.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with Trump’s assessment when you look at how this administration has handled the border. The fact that these gang members made it into the U.S. in the first place is bad enough, but the lack of consequences for their violent actions is just adding insult to injury. As Abbott said, Texas isn’t going to let them turn the state into their playground of terror. If the Feds won’t take action, the Lone Star State will.
So, buckle up because Texas is sending a clear message to Tren de Aragua: you picked the wrong state to mess with.
