GOP urges Biden to clamp down on Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang following Laken Riley’s killing

Hispanic GOP Leaders Call for Strong Action⁤ Against Venezuelan Criminal Syndicate

In a significant political move, top Hispanic Republican members of Congress are urging​ President Joe Biden to enact robust measures against the notorious Venezuelan ⁢gang, Tren⁢ de Aragua. This call to⁢ action has escalated following the tragic kidnapping and ‍murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student ⁤from Georgia, allegedly⁢ by an affiliate of the ​gang.

The Push for⁣ a Transnational Criminal Organization Designation

​ “By designating⁣ the Tren de Aragua as ​a TCO, we will send a clear message⁤ that its reign of terror will not be‍ tolerated, and that we will stand united in our resolve to protect ‌our communities from the scourge of transnational organized crime.”

Leading the charge, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), and Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), along with other lawmakers, have submitted a powerful plea to the White ‌House. ‌They⁢ demand the immediate designation of Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) in light ​of⁣ its criminal activities ‍that extend beyond ⁣Venezuelan borders.

• The group has carried out acts of violence across Central and South America, notably in Colombia and Peru.
• Their crimes include drug and human trafficking, sex ⁢crimes,⁢ and more.

The Case That Sparked Outrage

The recent murder of Laken Riley has intensified this push for action. Riley’s life was tragically cut short during a routine jog on the University of Georgia ‍campus. ‌Following her‍ death,⁣ Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was promptly arrested, with reported ties to Tren de Aragua.​ This ‍connection was first brought ⁢to ⁤light by the⁣ Daily Caller, citing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement documents.

Ibarra had previously crossed the U.S.-Mexico⁤ border unlawfully in‌ 2022⁣ and was released by federal law enforcement – a decision now under scrutiny given⁢ the subsequent events.

The Oversight⁣ and Future Dangers

The circumstances around Ibarra’s immigration status and gang affiliation raise​ important questions. It remains unclear if ⁤his⁢ affiliation with the‍ Tren de Aragua was known at the time of his initial detainment or surfaced only after the grim incident.

Officials worry about potential oversights ⁣and the gang’s absence from Customs ‍and Border ​Protection’s (CBP) monitored list, which tracks gang-affiliated illegal border crossings.​ Notably, Tren ⁢de Aragua is not currently on that list,⁢ an omission that has not been addressed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection despite requests for commentary.

A United Stand ⁤Against Transnational Crime

⁢ “We‌ cannot‌ permit our cities to become battlegrounds for such organizations, nor ‌can we allow our citizens to suffer at⁤ their hands,” the‌ letter⁢ continued. ⁣“It is clear that most state ​and local law enforcement agencies are not⁤ yet prepared to handle the magnitude of this grave ‌threat.”

Lawmakers are adamant that with‍ the designation of Tren de Aragua‌ as a TCO, it would significantly‌ hinder the organization’s capacity to root itself and ⁣expand its criminal operations within ‌the United States, thereby safeguarding communities and preventing further tragedies.

Other notable lawmakers supporting this​ plea‌ include Sens. Bill Cassidy, Shelley Moore Capito, ‌and‍ Rick Scott, among others, representing a bipartisan call for the safety and security of American‌ citizens. Their united front underscores the urgency to counteract the threat posed by ​such transnational​ criminal elements⁤ infiltrating ​the country.

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