A Venezuelan migrant with a lengthy criminal history, suspected of being a member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, was apprehended in California last month.
This individual, Jose Gonzalez Roa, had previously been deported and had made at least three other border crossings. His most recent known return to Mexico was reportedly to visit his girlfriend, according to sources who spoke with The New York Post.
As reported by The New York Post, Roa was caught by Border Patrol agents in the El Centro border sector. He had a record in New York, Colorado, and California, where he was wanted for attempted murder. However, this was not the first time federal authorities had encountered Roa. A source revealed that he had crossed the border and was deported in December 2022 under the Trump-era Title 42 COVID expulsion policy. A few months later, Roa attempted to enter the U.S. legally at the port of entry in Brownsville, Texas, where he claimed asylum and was subsequently released into the country.
Roa's criminal activities did not cease upon his entry into the U.S. The source disclosed that during his time in the country, Roa allegedly embarked on a crime spree, resulting in his arrest on at least three separate occasions. In September 2023, he was charged with robbery, larceny, and assault in Queens, New York. Following his most recent capture, border agents discovered his outstanding warrant for attempted murder in Redwood City, California, dating back to September. Roa also had a prior arrest in Broomfield, Colorado, for a minor traffic offense. The reasons for his release each time remain unclear.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, in a post about the arrest, vowed that members of the Tren de Aragua gang would face consequences under his leadership. "This ain't #Aurora, CO," Bovino declared, alluding to the gang's stronghold where it has seized control of apartment complexes and engaged in violent crime.
The Tren de Aragua gang has established a presence in at least 19 states after crossing the southern U.S. border. Many of its members were released by border agents because they posed as asylum seekers. Without any traditional gang markings or tattoos, a significant number of them were released as federal authorities struggled to obtain cooperation from the Venezuelan regime to identify them.
The gang has also expanded its influence in sanctuary New York City, where its members have attacked NYPD officers, engaged in sex and gun trafficking, and committed brutal robberies. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with criminal elements infiltrating the country under the guise of seeking asylum.
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