Members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua prison gang are being apprehended in Texas, thousands of miles away from the border, after illegally entering the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE-ERO) agents have recently apprehended members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua in New York City and Chicago. However, their attempts to deport them were unsuccessful due to existing federal or local policies.
Related posts
On May 10, ICE-ERO-New York City agents apprehended Johan Jose Cardenas Silva, a fugitive wanted by Peruvian authorities for conspiracy, assault, and aggravated theft. This arrest came two months after he was taken into custody by the New York City Police Department in March, where he faced charges related to firearms and drugs.
According to Kenneth Genalo, the New York City Field Office Director of ICE-ERO, this fugitive had the audacity to believe that he could enter the United States and escape from justice in other countries while continuing his criminal activities without consequences. However, his past actions and affiliation with a violent international criminal organization prove that he poses a significant threat to public safety.
In January 19, 2023, ICE-ERO-San Antonio agents presented him with a notice to attend a hearing before an immigration judge. Subsequently, in March 2023, an immigration judge issued an order for his removal from the United States.
On October 5, 2023, he was not removed but rather released from ICE’s Stewart County Detention Center. According to ICE, he was released “on an order of supervision to report to New York City; however, he never reported as directed.”
He traveled to New York City, but on March 27, NYPD officers arrested him. He was charged with several offenses, including criminal possession of a loaded firearm in the second degree, having a loaded firearm on school grounds, possessing a controlled substance with the intent to sell, and acting in a manner that could harm a child under the age of 17.
He was detained in a county correctional facility until ICE arrested and removed him. Currently, he is in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings. ICE agents were also informed that Cardenas is an international fugitive wanted by Peruvian authorities, with an arrest warrant issued in October 2018.
In March, ICE-ERO-Chicago agents made another arrest of a member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang in Chicago. This individual had been under investigation by the Chicago Police Department for a drive-by shooting in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood.
In 2022, he was initially arrested for illegally entering the country near Eagle Pass, Texas.
Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona was initially apprehended by Border Patrol agents near Eagle Pass on July 7, 2022. Following his arrest, he was placed into removal proceedings. However, he was subsequently released into the country on his own recognizance with the condition to appear before an immigration judge. Unfortunately, he failed to comply with this requirement. As a result, on July 7, 2023, an immigration judge issued a final order for his removal in absentia.
On February 24, 2024, the Cicero Police Department officers in Illinois apprehended him for multiple charges, including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, lack of a firearms identification card, driving without a license or insurance, and possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle. Fortunately, he was eventually released from custody.
On March 11, ICE-ERO officers apprehended him without any issues, merely a few weeks after the incident. Presently, he remains in custody at ICE’s Dodge County Detention Facility in Juneau, Wisconsin, awaiting immigration removal procedures.
Raymond Hernandez, Assistant Field Office Director of ICE-ERO Chicago, emphasized the danger posed by this Venezuelan noncitizen to our communities. He highlighted that not only was this individual a confirmed member of a transnational street gang, but he also demonstrated a willingness to unlawfully discharge a firearm in public. Hernandez stated that ERO Chicago remains committed to ensuring public safety by removing such threats from our streets.
Rubio and Salazar issued a warning, stating that Tren de Aragua has caused chaos in communities across Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Peru. They highlighted that this organization has instilled fear and instability, undermining the credibility of government institutions and jeopardizing the safety of innocent civilians. Both senators emphasized the importance of preventing our cities from becoming battlegrounds for such groups and protecting our citizens from their harmful actions.
