Hill Country Chronicle

On Thursday, Representative Chip Roy and Senator Ted Cruz addressed concerns to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Texas and across the United States.

In their letter, they stated, "The Biden-Harris administration has imported Venezuelan illegal aliens at an alarming rate, allowing criminals – including the gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) – to gain a foothold in Texas and communities throughout the United States. Texans and the American people deserve better."

Texas law enforcement conducted “Operation Aurora” on October 5, 2024. This operation targeted members of TdA occupying a San Antonio apartment complex. Authorities arrested 19 Venezuelan illegal aliens during this sting, with four confirmed as TdA members.

The lawmakers also highlighted crimes allegedly committed by TdA affiliates. They noted that "the two Venezuelan illegal aliens charged with raping and murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray before tossing her dismembered body into a Houston bayou, both of whom were released under your tenure after they unlawfully crossed into Texas earlier this year, are believed to have ties to TdA."

They concluded their letter by emphasizing that "our law enforcement community and the Texans they serve deserve answers on the scope of infiltration of TCOs under this administration."