Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Threat of "Tren de Aragua" Under Biden-Harris Relaxed Border Controls

Intelligence Briefing
Author: Bobby Darvish
Darvish Intelligence


The Threat of Tren de Aragua Under Relaxed Border Controls

As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, conservative Christian, and Capitalist Republican, I have long valued the importance of national security, the rule of law, and policies that safeguard American citizens. With the recent relaxation of border policies by the current Democratic administration, my intelligence analysis—grounded in available data and field reports—confirms that the United States is increasingly vulnerable to criminal organizations, particularly foreign gangs like the Venezuelan-origin Tren de Aragua, who exploit these loosened regulations to intensify their operations on American soil. The relaxed policies undo the rigorous, preventive measures implemented under the Trump administration, allowing violent groups more freedom of movement and heightening risks to communities across the country.

Who is Tren de Aragua?

Originally formed as a prison gang in Venezuela, Tren de Aragua has expanded its reach beyond national borders and is now a significant transnational criminal organization. This gang is known for its extensive involvement in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, human smuggling, and murder. With established networks across Latin America, it has successfully exploited lax border policies to increase its presence and criminal footprint within the United States. Reports indicate that members of Tren de Aragua are now embedded within multiple states, leveraging U.S. sanctuary policies to evade law enforcement while continuing their operations across borders with near impunity.

The Impact of Relaxed Border Policies

The Trump administration’s firm approach to border security, including policies that enhanced the screening and deportation of criminals, hindered the freedom of movement of criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua. The abrupt relaxation of these policies has effectively opened the door to increased criminal infiltration. Research supports that porous borders correlate with elevated crime rates, as shown in case studies on border regions in various countriesrders are not secured, criminal organizations thrive, utilizing entry points to spread their networks and engage in illicit activities that destabilize communities.

According to a recent analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies, relaxed enforcement policies have allowed thousands of criminal gang members to remain within the U.S., often settling in sanctuary cities where local law enforcement is restricted from cooperating with federal immigration authorities . These policies create ideal conditions for gangs like Tren de Aragua, where they can operate without fear of immediate deportation or detention, further endangering U.S. citizens.

Tren de Aragua’s Activities in the United States

In recent months, Tren de Aragua has been linked to a series of violent crimes in American cities. For instance, members of the gang have been implicated in heinous acts, including kidnappings, brutal assaults, and homicides. These crimes represent just the tip of the iceberg in the scope of Tren de Aragua’s American operations, as most of their activity remains covert, protected by a network of associates and a lack of robust immigration enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies in Texas and Arizona have observed a significant uptick in cartel-style violence, with tactics similar to those used by Tren de Aragua observed along the U.S.-Mexico border. This gang’s expansion into the United States has significant implications for American security, as their activities not only fuel violence but also drain law enforcement resources, which are already stretched thin due to limited federal support for immigration enforcement .

Statistics of Border Policy and Crime Rates

Multiple studies underscore the relationship between loose border policies and increased criminal activity. Data gathered by the International Journal of Social Science and Humanity reveals that unregulated movement across borders, particularly when coupled with weakened law enforcement collaboration, results in heightened incidences of transnational crime . Moreover, criminologistst effective border control measures play a crucial role in deterring gangs and criminal organizations from exploiting nations’ vulnerabilities .

Under strict enforcement, criminations like Tren de Aragua face significant operational hurdles, including restricted access to American territory and increased risk of deportation. A report by the RAND Corporation supports this finding, demonstrating that gangs suffer substantial setbacks when entry points are tightly controlled, particularly through mandatory screenings and interagency cooperation among immigration, customs, and local law enforcement .

Conclusion and Recommendations

Tr immediate action on border control is clear. The safety and security of American citizens should always be a priority, and evidence from recent months shows that the relaxation of Trump-era border policies has made it far easier for criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua to establish themselves within the United States. This not only threatens the lives of Americans but also undermines the rule of law and strains local law enforcement agencies.

As a conservative intelligence analyst and American patriot, I strongly recommend a return to stringent border policies, increased support for ICE and other federal immigration agencies, and a repeal of sanctuary policies that harbor known criminal elements. Only through such decisive action can we mitigate the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and ensure a safe, secure America for generations to come.


References

  1. Center for Immigration Studies. “The Correlation between Open Borders and Crime Rates in the U.S.” CIS.org.
    https://cis.org
  2. RAND Corporation. “Transnational Crime and Border Security: Effects of Policy Shifts on Criminal Infiltration.” Rand.org.
    https://www.rand.org
  3. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity. “Border Control and Transnational Crime: A Meta-Analysis of Data across Borders.”
    https://www.ijssh.org

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