U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed the arrest of numerous alleged members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, at U.S.-Canada border crossings during President Donald Trump's administration.
The arrests, totaling 40 suspected gang members, occurred between January 20 and March 21, 2025, at the Ambassador Bridge, a key crossing point between Detroit and Canada.
As reported by American Military News, the Ambassador Bridge is notorious for its perplexing roadway signs, which often create confusion for travelers from both the U.S. and Canada. This confusion has inadvertently turned the bridge into a strategic capture point for Venezuelan gang members attempting to cross the border. Despite the recent arrests, CBP has stated that there is no current intelligence linking the president's border policies directly to the apprehensions of Tren de Aragua members at this northern border crossing.
However, former Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Michael Brown has offered a different perspective. Brown suggests that the Venezuelan gang is altering its tactics in response to President Trump's stringent measures against illegal immigrant gang activity. "As a TdA member, I dont want to end up in El Centro," Brown remarked to Fox News, referencing the notorious prison in El Salvador where the Trump administration has detained numerous illegal immigrant gang members. He further explained, "So where do they go? Canada. They know they wont face the same consequences there."
Brown attributes the rise in Tren de Aragua's activities within the United States to the previous administration's "open-border policy," which he claims allowed illegal immigrants linked to the violent gang to establish operations nationwide. "Sanctuary cities provided political top cover," Brown told Fox News, criticizing mayors and governors for their reluctance to acknowledge the escalating threat.
As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration and gang activity, Tren de Aragua appears to be shifting its focus toward Canada. Brown cautioned that Canada's progressive narcotics policies could render the country an attractive haven for cartels. "Canadas unofficial open-door policy for criminal organizations isnt new," he noted. "What you never hear about is them being taken down, because theyve figured out how to operate within the system."
Brown further warned of the potential consequences if the gang is not stopped early. "Theyre underestimating what starts as a few individuals. But like a virus, it spreads quickly and if not stopped early, it metastasizes into a national crisis," he explained. He emphasized that the gang's movements are strategic, stating, "This isnt random. TdA doesnt send busloads to Canada. Theyre deploying scouts, making alliances, securing territory. If they find a foothold, then comes the flood."
The situation at the U.S.-Canada border underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing illegal immigration and gang activity. As the Trump administration continues to enforce its policies, the shifting tactics of gangs like Tren de Aragua highlight the complexities of border security and the need for vigilant enforcement to protect national interests.
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