Fox News Reports on TDA Gang Threats and Immigration Challenges

A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper has arrested 24-year-old Maikel Diaz-Guerra, a confirmed member of the Tren de Aragua gang, during a traffic stop in El Paso. Diaz-Guerra, who was wearing an ICE tracking device, was apprehended for allegedly acting as a scout in a human smuggling attempt. This marks his second arrest on similar charges, having been released just days prior by the Biden-Harris administration. The arrest occurred as part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, aimed at enhancing border security. During the incident, the trooper also arrested the 17-year-old driver of another vehicle, Gildardo Perez III, who was found with three illegal immigrants concealed in the back seat. The identities and immigration statuses of the individuals involved remain undisclosed, while Border Patrol agents took custody of the migrants. The Tren de Aragua gang has been designated a transnational criminal organization by the Treasury Department, involved in various crimes including human trafficking, extortion, and drug trafficking. Officials have noted that tracking and deporting gang members has become increasingly challenging, particularly as Venezuela is not accepting deportees. In fiscal 2023, only 834 Venezuelans were deported despite over 335,000 encounters at the border. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is actively working with law enforcement agencies to combat gang-related violence and illegal immigration. Recent reports indicate that Tren de Aragua members in Denver have been given a "green light" to attack law enforcement, raising concerns about the gang's growing influence and the potential risks to communities across the United States.