Photo byU.S. Customs & Border Protection

Concerns are growing about the increased visibility of a violent Venezuelan migrant gang in Texas. After the arrest of a "Tren de Aragua" (TDA) gang member in Houston last week, news media there reported that he "is suspected of recruiting middle school students at Jane Long Academy and Las Americas, both within the Houston Independent School District."

Texas Department of Public Safety announces the October 7, 2024 arrest of a suspected Venezuelan migrant gang member in Houston.Photo byTexas Department of Public Safety

The story was also picked up by national media outlets, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott this week to tweet the suspect to "Go to jail and rot."

The arrest of Jorgenys Robertson Cova came two days after the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), local and federal law enforcement officers raided a San Antonio apartment complex where the DPS said the TDA gang "had taken over vacant apartments and were engaged in illicit activities. This operation involved over 150 officers and agents who cleared over 300 units, arresting 16 Venezuelans and three United States Citizens. HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) determined four Venezuelans were members of TDA, and one was identified as a TDA "enforcer."

The U.S. Border Patrol announced the arrest of "a confirmed member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua" in El Paso (Sept. 18, 2024).Photo byU.S. Border Patrol

Last month the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol said his agents had arrested 70 members of the Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang - including an arrest in El Paso. Days later the DPS acknowledged the arrests of "more than 20 suspected" Tren de Aragua gang members in El Paso at a hotel reportedly "overrun" by the TDA.

The Tren de Aragua migrant gang was brought up by Sen. Ted Cruz during his televised debate with challenger Colin Allred (Oct. 15, 2024).Photo byWFAA-TV (screenshot)

The TDA was also brought up by Texas Senator Ted Cruz this week during a televised debate with Democrat Colin Allred who is challenging him in the November elections.

“I hear about it everywhere I go. I hear about it in Dallas – the folks concerned about the Dallas woman who Venezuelan gangs broke into her house, tied her up, pistol whipped her with a gun…and robbed her.” -U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (October 15, 2024)

Although TDA gang activity has been confirmed by law enforcement officers in the Dallas Area, WFAA-TV - which produced "The Texas Debate" on which Cruz appeared - reported that "police sources tell WFAA there were rumors the incident was connected to the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, but there is no indication the incident was gang-related."

Texas is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of known or suspected TDA gang members.Photo byTexas Department of Public Safety

Even so, the increasing reports of TDA gang activity in Texas have prompted Governor Greg Abbott to offer rewards of up to $5,000 for information about the gang:

“Tren de Aragua has spread terror and carnage in every country they've been in, and Texas will not allow them to gain a foothold in our state. Texas will not let these thugs use our state as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. With the public’s help ... we will capture these dangerous gang members and put them behind bars for good.” -Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Are you worried about the presence of the violent Tren de Aragua gang in Texas?

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• Texas Border: Huge Migrant Groups Keep Crossing Illegally
• Texas Border: More Terror Watchlist Migrants Arrested
• Texas Triples Border Security Barriers
• Texas "Border Wall" Build Continues

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