Several members of Congress, including Representatives Lauren Boebert, Chip Roy, Doug Lamborn, and Greg Lopez, have expressed deep concern over the increasing criminal activity in Aurora, Colorado, allegedly orchestrated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
The gang, a transnational criminal organization, is accused of taking over multiple apartment complexes in the area, engaging in serious criminal acts such as robbery, extortion, assault, drug crimes, human trafficking, and the sexual abuse of minors.
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According to investigations conducted by local authorities and the nonpartisan law firm Perkins Coie, TdA gang members have been implicated in violent incidents, including the November 2023 beating of a consultant for the property management company, which left the victim hospitalized.
Additionally, reports indicate that gang members stabbed a resident for refusing to pay rent to the gang, threatened a property manager, and coerced a housekeeper into providing access to vacant apartments. Video evidence reportedly shows gang members breaking into these apartments and moving Venezuelan immigrants into them, while also using the properties for drug-related activities and child prostitution.
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The situation has been exacerbated by what the lawmakers describe as the Biden-Harris Administration’s “open border policies,” coupled with Colorado’s sanctuary policies and Denver’s status as a sanctuary city. These policies, they argue, have led to an influx of illegal immigrants, including TdA gang members, straining local resources.
Neighboring counties such as Douglas, El Paso, and Mesa have filed lawsuits against the state, challenging sanctuary policies that hinder cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Since January 2023, Denver alone has spent more than $74 million to support over 42,000 illegal immigrants, according to the lawmakers. They claim that since the Biden administration took office, more than 10 million illegal aliens have been apprehended crossing the U.S. border.
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In a formal letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other top officials, the lawmakers demanded answers to several questions, including the extent of the federal government’s role in placing illegal immigrants in Colorado, the known presence of TdA gang members in the state, and what actions are being taken to combat the gang’s activities.
They also asked for clarification on policies that may be preventing local communities from working with federal agencies like ICE to address the issue.
The lawmakers requested a response by September 19, 2024, urging swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of Colorado residents.
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