Trump’s Border Czar Blames Media for Tipping Off Gang Raid \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, blamed media leaks for jeopardizing a large-scale immigration raid targeting Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang. The operation, conducted in Denver and Aurora, led to dozens of arrests and deportations, though exact numbers remain unclear. Activists criticized the raids, while federal officials warned that leaks could endanger officers.
Trump’s ICE Raid in Denver: Quick Looks
- Massive Immigration Raid: ICE targeted Tren de Aragua gang members in Denver and Aurora.
- Conflicting Arrest Reports: Fox News reported 30 arrests, while the White House claimed over 100 deportations.
- Border Czar Blames Media Leaks: Tom Homan said leaks put officers at risk by alerting gang members.
- Heavy Police Presence: Federal agents in armored vehicles stormed apartment buildings.
- Activists Condemn Raids: Residents reported aggressive tactics and door-to-door questioning.
- Trump’s ‘Operation Aurora’: The raid aligns with Trump’s plan for nationwide gang crackdowns.
- ICE Arrests Surge: Daily immigration arrests have more than doubled under Trump.
- Uncertain Deportation Fate: Venezuela refuses to accept deported citizens, raising questions about detainee relocations.
Deep Look
Massive Immigration Raid in Colorado Targets Tren de Aragua
Federal immigration authorities launched a large-scale operation in Denver and neighboring Aurora on Wednesday, targeting suspected members of Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang. The raids, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) alongside other federal agencies, resulted in multiple arrests, though conflicting reports have made it difficult to determine exact numbers.
Fox News, which was embedded with ICE agents, reported that 30 individuals were arrested, including at least one known Tren de Aragua member. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that over 100 gang members had been deported from Colorado that same day. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense stated that 10 individuals linked to the gang were transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Authorities have not clarified where the deported individuals were sent, given that Venezuela has refused to accept repatriated citizens. The operation, part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, was one of the most aggressive raids since his administration began implementing stricter border policies.
Border Czar Tom Homan: Media Leaks Put Officers at Risk
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar and former ICE director, condemned news media leaks for allegedly alerting gang members and complicating law enforcement efforts.
“We know that TDA is dangerous. Everybody can agree to that,” Homan said, referring to Tren de Aragua. “But when they get a heads-up that we are coming, it’s only a matter of time before our officers are ambushed. Their job is dangerous enough. So we are going to address this very seriously.”
Reports leading up to the raids indicated that they were imminent, possibly allowing some gang members to evade capture. ICE itself promoted the operation on social media as it unfolded but later directed inquiries about arrests to the Department of Homeland Security, which has yet to release official figures.
Federal Agents Storm Denver & Aurora Neighborhoods
The operation involved dozens of heavily armed agents from multiple federal agencies, many of whom arrived in armored vehicles and wore masks. Agents broke down doors in at least one apartment building, causing outrage among activists and local residents.
Aurora and Denver were targeted in part due to viral footage from August showing armed Tren de Aragua members entering an apartment complex before a fatal shooting. The incident, along with reports of increasing violent crime, prompted Trump to highlight Aurora as a key battleground in his broader plan to crack down on undocumented immigrants.
During the operation, agents searched residential buildings and questioned residents, seeking information on those living in the U.S. illegally.
- Hannah Stickline, a resident of Denver’s Cedar Run Apartments, said six armed officers knocked on her door around 6 a.m., demanding to see her identification. “After I showed it, they asked which of my neighbors were in the country illegally,” she said. “I refused to answer. It’s insulting and infuriating because I would never snitch on my neighbors.”
- Fernando Martinez, who was staying at a friend’s apartment, said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents knocked before using a battering ram to break in. A stun grenade landed at his feet before he was thrown to the ground. He was released after showing identification.
The DEA reported that three people at the complex had died from fentanyl overdoses in the past month, reinforcing the administration’s narrative linking crime, drug trafficking, and undocumented immigration.
Trump’s ‘Operation Aurora’ & the Push for Mass Deportations
While on the campaign trail in Aurora last year, Trump pledged a nationwide crackdown on migrant gangs, branding his plan “Operation Aurora.” The name was inspired by the viral video of suspected Tren de Aragua gang members. Wednesday’s operation marks one of the first large-scale actions under this initiative.
Homan confirmed that arrests will intensify beyond just criminal offenders, hinting at a broader deportation effort in the coming months. ICE, which has been publicizing its efforts under the slogan “The Worst First,” initially prioritized undocumented immigrants with criminal histories but is now expanding its scope.
“I’ve made it clear that if you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table,” Homan stated.
According to White House figures, over 8,000 people in the U.S. illegally have been arrested since Trump’s inauguration. Of those, 461 were later released due to medical concerns or a lack of detention capacity.
ICE’s daily arrest rates reflect a stark increase under Trump’s administration. Between January 23 and January 31, the agency averaged 787 arrests per day—more than double the daily average of 311 under the Biden administration.
The Fate of the Apartment Complex at the Center of the Raid
One of the main locations in Wednesday’s operation was the largely abandoned apartment complex where the viral video of armed Tren de Aragua members was recorded. A local judge had previously deemed the property a public safety threat, ordering all but one of its buildings to be shut down by February 18.
The complex has become notorious for crime, and in December, police reported that seven suspected Tren de Aragua members had terrorized two Venezuelan immigrants there—tying them up, pistol-whipping them, and subjecting them to a night of violence. Nine individuals, initially placed in ICE custody, are now facing state charges.
What’s Next?
With the Denver raids marking one of the largest immigration crackdowns in recent years, expectations for further large-scale deportation operations are rising. Trump’s administration has made clear that it intends to expand the scope of enforcement, targeting not just criminal offenders but all undocumented immigrants.
Homan and other officials insist that media leaks must be contained to ensure officer safety in future operations. Meanwhile, immigrant rights activists and civil liberties groups are preparing to challenge what they call unconstitutional home raids and racial profiling.
As Trump’s immigration policies take shape, the battle over enforcement, civil liberties, and public safety is set to intensify in the months ahead.
Trump’s Border
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