DHS seeks over 600 migrants linked to Tren de Aragua: report

The Department of Homeland Security has identified more than 600 migrants in the US who may have ties to the cruel Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, according to terrifying new data.

According to NBC, which obtained the disturbing numbers, about 100 of the 600 “subjects of interest” were confirmed members of Tren de Aragua – and even the Department of Homeland Security recommended they be placed on the FBI’s watch list.

Officials said the remaining 500 were victims, witnesses or other gang members.

The report shows that Tren de Aragua is known in 15 states, including New York, and is likely present in eight others.

Officials began collecting data on the gang after noticing an increase in crimes committed by its members in U.S. cities, including the Big Apple. The crimes include sex trafficking in Louisiana and the direct shooting of two New York City police officers, according to the report.

Data shows that since October 2022, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities have arrested over 100 people with alleged ties to TDA. An additional 75 people were arrested for immigration violations, and more than 20 were referred to federal prosecutors.

But law enforcement experts say the data shows an intelligence gap about the gang’s presence in the U.S. because the Venezuelan government does not share criminal history or other information about its immigrants with the U.S.

“That number is almost alarmingly low,” said Frank Figliuzzi, former FBI deputy director of counterintelligence and NBC News contributor. “It should be higher.”

The lack of information provided by Venezuela also makes it difficult for border officials to determine who among Venezuelan migrants may be members of the TDA.