Aurora, Colorado, saw a significant declaration from former President Donald Trump on Friday as he revealed a new federal initiative focused on curbing migrant-associated criminal activities.
Breitbart reported that Trump announced "Operation Aurora," a federal initiative designed to dismantle criminal networks like the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, aiming to expedite the deportation of criminally convicted illegal migrants by employing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 if re-elected.
In front of a gathered crowd in Aurora, Trump highlighted his commitment to ejecting criminal elements from the United States.
He expressed an intent to employ a centuries-old law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to facilitate rapid deportations of gang members involved in severe criminal activities.
The Operation Aurora announcement at the Colorado rally centered on targeting "every criminal network" operating within the nation.
Among these networks is the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua, as Trump aims to counteract their illegal undertakings within American borders. The gang is noted for its involvement in heinous crimes, including drug trafficking, homicide, and human smuggling.
The former president emphasized the urgency of the matter by referencing tragic incidents where law enforcement believes migrants played a role.
He cited victims such as Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley, and Rachel Morin, acknowledging their devastating experiences in his speech.
The ambitious plan also includes sealing the U.S. borders to staunch the influx of illegal immigration, suggesting a broader crackdown on unauthorized entries and criminal activities tied to them.
Supporting his call to action, Trump cited recent data from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to ICE, as of July 21, 2024, they manage a docket with 662,566 noncitizens possessing criminal records. Of these, 435,719 are confirmed criminals, while another 226,847 face pending criminal charges.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Trump claimed ICE's recently released figures showed that over 13,000 individuals with murder convictions had been allowed entry into the U.S. This disclosure aligns with his stated mission of stepping up deportations and bolstering national safety.
The TdA gang's criminal activities have been reported in several major cities, including Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas, adding impetus to Trump's campaign against them.
U.S. authorities confirmed the group's presence in Chicago following a raid conducted in Venezuela in 2023, indicating their transnational reach.
Trump's references to a New York Times report shed light on how TdA operatives have infiltrated the U.S. and engaged in sinister activities like drug distribution and human trafficking.
Adding to the seriousness, Trump mentioned intelligence reports suggest the gang had been given a "green light" to target U.S. law enforcement personnel, an alarming development for the safety of officers nationwide.
In response to such threats, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken proactive steps. Abbott declared the TdA a Foreign Terrorist Organization and offered a monetary reward of $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest of its members, demonstrating a statewide commitment to tackling these dangers.
Echoing Trump's speech, he tied his future plans to historical legislation, intending to initiate a "major national undertaking" aimed at clearing illegal alien gang members from the country. The invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 underscores Trump's approach to leveraging time-tested laws in his strategy.
Trump stated, "We will begin the task of finding and deporting every single illegal alien gang member from our country," emphasizing the drive to restore order and safety.
The announcement of Operation Aurora may mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against criminal networks leveraging immigration channels. Trump's rhetoric points to determined efforts to shift current immigration policies and enforcement measures.
