What's New
Texas Senator Ted Cruz had vowed to crack down on undocumented migrants who have committed serious crimes in the United States.
Cruz told Newsweek: "Starting on January 20, we will secure the border. Catch and release ends on January 20. If you are an illegal alien, if you're a murderer, if you're a rapist, if you're a child molester, if you're a Venezuelan gang member, pack your bags because you're getting the hell out.
"And I'm here to tell you, that's not going to take a year. It's not going to take six months. We are going to see the numbers of illegal immigration plummet, and they are going to plummet in January and February of this year."
Why It Matters
In saying "Venezuelan gang members," Cruz seemed to be referring to the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
TdA has been in the national spotlight since footage emerged showing armed gang members storming an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, in August 2024. The gang is reportedly linked to a series of high-profile crimes across the U.S., including murder, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to enact a hard-line immigration agenda to crack down on illegal migration, cartels, and crime syndicates.
What to Know
Cruz's comments came after the NYPD arrested suspected TdA gang members in a raid on a five-story apartment complex located next to the Doña Juana day care center in the Bronx on December 5.
The raid was executed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the NYPD's federal task force, according to a law enforcement source who spoke to Fox News. A separate raid in Brooklyn led to 22 suspected members of the crime syndicate being arrested across both operations.
Cruz, who spoke on stage at Turning Point USA's "AmericaFest" event in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22 alongside Trump, made border security a core component of his policy agenda.
"I've got to say this election has given President Donald J. Trump a Republican Senate and a Republican House—a clear mandate to deliver on our promises," Cruz said at Trump's first rally since winning the election.
"One month from today, President Trump will secure the border. We are going to bring back jobs. We are going to lower prices. We are going to protect American families. We are going to put criminals in jail. We are going to keep our kids safe."
Cruz has been vocal in terms of raising awareness of the need to address TdA.
The gang has been connected to a string of serious crimes, including the murders of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Texas and Laken Riley, 22, in Georgia.
Meanwhile, a suspected sex trafficking ringleader, identified as La Barbie, who is believed to have connections to the Venezuelan gang, was apprehended in El Paso, Texas, in October.
Reports also emerged of the gang taking over a hotel in El Paso that was used for sex trafficking.
What People Are Saying
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat who represents Texas's 28th congressional district, told Newsweek that TdA is "causing security issues for us, and those people should have never come in."
"The problem is that there are countries like Venezuela, Cuba, China, and other countries that when we stop somebody, we usually ask for any criminal record. You know, Mexico, Central America, and other countries do that," he said.
"Those countries don't share any information with us, so unless you can identify them because they already have a record or they have tattoos or something, it's very hard to identify those people."
Tom Homan, former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, said on stage at Turning Point USA's "AmericaFest": "My gang's bigger than yours. We're going to kick you (TdA) out of this country!"
Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican, told Fox News Digital: "For over two years now, I have warned the Biden Administration about violent criminals from Venezuela entering our country. Unfortunately, Tren de Aragua's presence has spread to nearly 20 states, including the great state of Texas."
What Happens Next
With less than a month until his return to the White House, Trump has vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
On the first day of his second administration, the president-elect promises to shut down the CBP One asylum application app, end catch-and-release, reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, and "secure the border" as he looks to enact his stringent immigration policies.
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