Se Colorado News

COLORADO - Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) has taken action on Venezuelan gang activity in Aurora by leading a letter and hosting a listening roundtable to address violence and crime perpetrated by Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang members.

During the roundtable, Boebert stated, "The purpose of the listening session roundtable was to get the truth and information out to Coloradans because, unfortunately, the fake news and liberal politicians with an agenda continue to downplay the violence and Venezuelan gang activity in Colorado. Shamefully, they claim the criminal activity we are seeing by these illegal Tren de Aragua gang members are figments of our imaginations and call us conspiracy theorists rather than trying to investigate what's really going on in order to help protect Coloradans."

Cindy Romero, a former resident at the Edge at Lowry apartment complex who shared a viral video of TdA gang members carrying guns at her apartment complex, said during the roundtable, "I'm imploring anyone to listen. Please do something. Don't deny it; it wasn't my imagination. The rest of the video I have, the screenshots, the many calls to 911 begging for help...I saw them moving the guns that morning."

Aurora resident and small business owner Chet Ellefson discussed his experience helping move Cindy Romero out of her apartment complex: "It was a completely eye-opening experience...I was in a Third World country for an hour that day. 90% of the doors in the building that we moved [Cindy] out of were kicked in and had a ghetto repair done to the door jamb."

Congressman Chip Roy emphasized establishing facts on ground conditions: "One of the most important things we can do for the country, for the state, for the City of Aurora, and for people back home in Texas that I represent is establish facts on ground."

Former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan criticized current immigration policies: "You have 200 underlying problems. Number one, you got [the Biden] administration who unsecured the border and released millions of people into the United States with no proper vetting...98% of people being released there is no data on them."

Former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore highlighted recidivism among criminal aliens: "The recidivism based on arrests that ICE had made of criminal convicted aliens—each one of them on average had four additional convictions...Again, they're getting put out on streets committing more crimes because criminal illegal aliens are true criminals."

Aurora Council Member Danielle Jurinsky described an unprecedented gathering during Venezuela's election: "During Venezuelan election on July 9th, 4,000-5,000 people showed up in Aurora at major intersection. What was most alarming was sheer numbers."

Council Member Stephanie Hancock pointed out gaps in law enforcement response: “These gangs prey on vulnerability...We keep getting revictimized.”

Aurora resident Fred Ludlow shared his observations: "I almost couldn't believe it could be that bad...It was clearly a lawless situation."

State Senator Mark Baisley spoke about legislative efforts: "[My bill] would override current restrictions disallowing law enforcement from working with ICE."

State Representative Anthony Hartsook mentioned constituents' experiences with break-ins: "I have constituents that have it on their Ring cameras where Venezuelans have broken into their house...Police can't arrest them or deport them."

State Representative Ron Weinberg expressed urgency: "If we don’t stop it now…it's going to take over whole county.”

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal discussed ongoing investigations related to sanctuary statutes restricting local law enforcement from working with ICE.

On September 6th, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert along with Congressman Chip Roy sent a letter urging action against TdA gang members terrorizing Colorado.

Participants included local officials such as Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21), Former ICE Director Tom Homan among others.

Numerous criminal acts by TdA gang members include taking over apartment complexes in Aurora and violent incidents like attempted murder arrests.

An investigative report by Perkins Coie found evidence of widespread criminal conduct by TdA gang members including human trafficking and unlawful firearms possession.

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