Bill to Combat Violent Venezuelan Gang Unanimously Passes Homeland Security Committee

September 30, 2024 Hank Russell Politics Comments Off on Bill to Combat Violent Venezuelan Gang Unanimously Passes Homeland Security Committee

By Hank Russell

A bipartisan bill introduced and co-sponsored by two Long Island congressmen that would crack down on a violent Venezulean street gang has been passed unanimously by the Homeland Security Committee.

The Tren de Aragua Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act — introduced by Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) and co-sponsored Anthony D’Esposito (R-Garden City), along with Lou Correa (D-California) — would require the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the intelligence and relevant federal departments or agencies, to submit to Congress a southwest border threat assessment regarding Tren de Aragua (TdA). The assessment will include identifying current and potential criminal threats posed by TdA members and their affiliates looking to enter the U.S. illegally through the southwest border or take advantage of any security weaknesses along that part of the border.

Additionally, the Homeland Security secretary must provide information on the gang, including how they began, what are their aims, their methods of operation, how they are funded, their leadership structure, their growth and how they are making their presence felt in the U.S. The secretary must also submit a plan on how to crack down on TdA and other transnational criminal organizations.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, TdA began as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela. They have quickly expanded throughout the Western Hemisphere. TdA takes part in numerous forms of criminal activity, such as human smuggling and trafficking, gender-based violence, money laundering and drug trafficking. On July 11, the agency sanctioned the gang as a transnational criminal organization. It is believed that TdA has up to 5,000 members.

“I am proud to announce that my bipartisan legislation to combat the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang has passed the House Committee on Homeland Security. This criminal organization, which has been called ‘MS-13 on steroids,’ poses a direct threat to our communities as they exploit weaknesses at our Southwest border,” said LaLota. “My bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive border threat assessment and develop a strategic plan to address these violent criminals infiltrating our neighborhoods. My common sense, bipartisan legislation will directly bring the fight to TdA and prevent them from further establishing a foothold in the United States.”
“I’m proud to stand with my good friend and Long Island’s own Rep. Nick LaLota in advancing his legislation, the ‘Tren de Aragua Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act,” said D’Esposito. “I co-sponsored this legislation because Americans have a right to know exactly how dangerous and pervasive emerging threats like Tren De Aragua are, and how we can best combat them in an effort to keep Americans safe.”
“Orange County families, and every family across the country, deserve to feel safe and secure in the neighborhoods they call home—and we’re working to make sure criminal syndicates like Tren de Aragua that terrorize families and small businesses on Main Street get taken down,” said Correa. “To do that effectively, we need to gather the facts and intelligence on specific threats facing the homeland. This bill will help to provide Congress information on the threats posed by Tren de Aragua, and I’m hopeful that it will be given a floor vote in the House in short order—to protect our neighborhoods and those who call them home.”