DEA Official Sounds Alarm: Colorado’s Immigration Policies Facilitating Criminal Gang Activity
The acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a stark warning, alleging that Colorado’s immigration policies are inadvertently creating a haven for the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization. According to DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz, the state has become a "command and control" center for the gang’s operations across the United States.
Maltz’s statements, initially made to local outlet Denver 7 and later confirmed by a representative for the DEA Rocky Mountain Division to Fox News, paint a grim picture of Colorado as "ground zero for some of the most violent criminals in America," including TdA’s leadership.
Tren de Aragua, known for its brutality and involvement in a wide range of criminal activities, has been linked to several high-profile crimes in the US, including the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Riley. The gang’s alleged capture of an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, further underscores its growing presence and influence in the state.
Maltz criticized Colorado’s Democratic-run government, suggesting that its policies have created "vulnerabilities and weaknesses" that TdA and other criminals are exploiting to perpetuate their crimes. He asserted that the state’s open-border approach has allowed "illegal violent criminals" to enter Colorado at record levels, jeopardizing the safety and security of its citizens.
The DEA official urged state leaders to prioritize public safety over political considerations, emphasizing that the issue transcends partisan lines. He called for a united front to remove violent criminal immigrants from the streets, stating, "This is not a red or blue issue, this is a red, white and blue issue. We have to start thinking about our citizens first."
Maltz also directed pointed remarks toward those who criticize or obstruct federal efforts to crack down on immigration, questioning their motives and urging them to support law enforcement. He challenged critics to engage with the victims of violent crime, highlighting the daily impact of gang activity on communities across Colorado.
Despite the challenges posed by state policies, Maltz assured that the federal government is committed to dismantling TdA and other migrant criminal organizations. He emphasized a "whole of government" approach, involving collaboration between various agencies, including the DEA, FBI, ATF, HSI, and ICE ERO.
Maltz issued a direct warning to TdA members, urging them to flee the state. He asserted that the combined efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement will hold them accountable for their crimes.
Colorado’s two Democratic senators, Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper, have yet to comment on the allegations made by the DEA official.
In response to Maltz’s statements, Eric Maruyama, a representative for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, defended the state’s collaboration with the DEA on criminal investigations. He said that Colorado works with the DEA all the time on criminal investigations and to apprehend violent offenders and fugitives whether they are here legally or illegally.
Maruyama shifted blame to the federal government, asserting that Congress has failed to address the nation’s "broken immigration system" and secure the border. He said that the reality is that Congress and the federal government for years have failed to fix our broken immigration system, secure our border, and create pathways to citizenship for people.
Gov. Polis is focused on improving public safety and has signed comprehensive laws to crack down on illegal gun crimes, get fentanyl off the streets, and recruit and retain more law enforcement, he claimed.
He further stated that Colorado works closely with all federal partners, in accordance with state and federal law, to fight crime and enhance public safety.
The controversy surrounding TdA’s presence in Colorado and its connection to immigration policies is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over border security and the role of state and federal governments in addressing criminal activity.
The implications of these developments are far-reaching, raising concerns about public safety, the effectiveness of immigration enforcement, and the need for greater cooperation between different levels of government.
The situation in Colorado underscores the complexities of immigration policy and the challenges of balancing public safety with humanitarian concerns. As the debate unfolds, it is crucial to consider all perspectives and work towards solutions that prioritize the well-being of communities while upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
This issue is sure to be a talking point of the next election as Colorado, once thought of as a reliably blue state, becomes more purple.
