
A recently obtained memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warns that members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) have been authorized to attack and shoot police officers in Denver, Colorado, and other major cities. This directive highlights the growing concern over the gang’s infiltration into the U.S. by posing as asylum seekers.
Described by CNN as a “multistate human trafficking ring,” Tren de Aragua forces vulnerable women and minors into prostitution. The gang has already been linked to hundreds of violent crimes this year, including the shooting deaths of two NYPD officers in June.
The DHS memo states, “Credible human sources from Colorado provided information on TdA giving a ‘green light’ to fire on or attack law enforcement.” This intelligence was corroborated by the Albuquerque Police Department, emphasizing the gang’s reach into multiple U.S. cities.
Denver, which has accepted 42,000 illegal foreign nationals—many from Venezuela—has become a significant hub for the gang. Tren de Aragua members have also established a presence in cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami, engaging in illegal activities such as theft, human trafficking, gun smuggling, and money laundering.
The U.S. Border Patrol, which started tracking the gang last year, has apprehended at least 70 members for violent crimes. However, many members evade detection by avoiding gang tattoos and other identifiers. “We have zero access to other nations’ criminal databases, and with this administration’s uselessness in deterring these criminals, they will keep entering undetected,” said an insider from the U.S. Border Patrol.
This alarming development underscores the need for enhanced border security and international cooperation to prevent violent gangs from exploiting the asylum process and threatening public safety.