Texas Representative Tony Gonzáles is persistently highlighting the issue of criminals illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He is urging local law enforcement to assist Border Patrol agents in identifying individuals who are entering the country, given the potential risk they pose to commit crimes on American soil. As a Republican, Gonzáles is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s borders.
During a recent meeting with the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the lawmaker was informed that over 10,000 unauthorized migrants have committed severe crimes, both in the United States and their home countries.
As a representative of the congressional district spanning from El Paso to Eagle Pass, Texas, which is one of the busiest migration routes in the country, Gonzales has been increasingly troubled by recent incidents involving members of a major criminal group from Venezuela who have been instilling fear in the local communities.
During a Zoom call with Border Report and KTSM on July 30, Gonzáles expressed concern over the increasing threat posed by the Tren de Aragua gang. He emphasized that these Venezuelan gangs are not just transient, but are actually settling in our communities.
Gonzáles expressed concern about the recent incident where a Venezuelan national shot a police officer in San Antonio. He mentioned that he was unsure if the individual was a member of TDA, but emphasized that these organizations are not afraid to take action. Gonzáles stated that if they are willing to target law enforcement, it raises questions about what they are capable of doing to ordinary citizens like you and me.
In response to a NewsNation report, which claims that 1,000 members of the Tren de Aragua gang have received a “green light” from their leaders to open fire on police officers, the expert has expressed his concerns. The report is based on a Border Patrol internal bulletin warning agents to remain vigilant.
According to Gonzales, Border Patrol serves as the primary layer of defense. However, he believes that they are currently overwhelmed. Gonzales stated that local law enforcement depends on the federal component to provide them with additional information. He suggested that the situation could improve if the person on the ground, who is familiar with the community, provided information upstream.
Gonzáles is suggesting the creation of a local-federal joint gang task force to focus on individuals who are believed to have committed crimes in the United States or overseas. To support this initiative, the Texas legislator is proposing the allocation of federal funds. Additionally, she has revealed that the law enforcement officials in Bexar County, San Antonio, have received a new intelligence center worth $2.7 million.
Gonzáles expressed concern about the impact of the situation in Venezuela on the United States, given the significant number of Venezuelan immigrants in the country. He noted that with the breakdown of the Venezuelan government, there is no established relationship between the two nations when dealing with illegal immigration. “What I worry about is now (their) government has essentially broken down. We have no relationship with them when someone comes over illegally,” Gonzáles said.
The U.S. government has taken a decisive step in the battle against Tren de Aragua by designating it as a transnational criminal organization. This move provides law enforcement with greater resources to combat the group’s growing presence in the country. Moreover, it empowers them to impose sanctions on the members, making it easier to freeze their assets and restrict their movements.
The State and Justice departments have recently announced the provision of millions of dollars in rewards for information on some of the main leaders. The announcement specifically mentions the offering of up to $5 million for Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero, popularly known as “Niño Guerrero” (Warrior Child); up to $4 million for Yohan José Romero, also referred to as “Johan Petrica”, and up to $3 million for “Giovanny San Vicente, aka “El Viejo” (The Old Man).
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