Venezuelan gang highlights Biden’s immigration issues in 2023

In 2023, the Biden administration faced criticism from Republican leaders regarding its handling of immigration and border security, particularly concerning the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Texas Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the gang's ability to establish bases in various states, including Texas, due to the lack of diplomatic relations with Venezuela and insufficient federal leadership on illegal immigration. He declared Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization and mobilized anti-gang units to combat their activities. Senator Johnson echoed these concerns, emphasizing the long-term threat posed by gangs that infiltrate communities and intimidate law enforcement. He argued that the Biden-Harris administration's open border policy has exacerbated the situation, allowing criminal organizations to thrive and making it difficult to eradicate them. In response to the growing concerns, the Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization in July 2023, following requests from Republican lawmakers. This designation was made amid reports of nearly 700,000 Venezuelan citizens encountered at the southern border since Biden took office in January 2021. The ongoing border crisis and the presence of gangs like Tren de Aragua have become significant issues for voters ahead of the upcoming elections. The Republican party is leveraging these concerns to highlight perceived failures in the Biden administration's immigration policies, framing them as a critical factor in the political landscape leading into November.