Immigrants in CO ‘harmed’ by national attention to Tren de Aragua, activists say

AURORA, Colorado — National attention focused on the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Colorado could be harmful to immigrants who have no ties to the gang, activists say.

Videos have been circulating on social media of people claiming that Venezuelan gang members are “taking over” Aurora, specifically claims about an apartment complex the city is closing near Colfax and Peoria. One video shows several men, who appear to be armed, attempting to break into an apartment in an unidentified complex. Neither the city nor Aurora police have confirmed these claims.

Activists told Denver7 that the headlines make life harder for the vast majority of immigrants who recently came to Colorado and have nothing to do with TdA.

“That to me screams racist. It screams to me that it’s a political opportunity to sow hatred against immigrants,” said Nate Kassa, a community organizer for the East Colfax Community Collective.

The organization helps people, including migrants, find housing. Kassa said the task has only become more difficult as attention has grown around Tren de Aragua.

“When this story gets out there, especially lately, there is sometimes some hesitation to reach out and support these people,” Kassa said.

César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, a professor of immigration at Ohio State University in Colorado, says the situation is more complex than people might initially think.

“I think people should be concerned, should be worried,” García Hernández said. “I fear that people will simply hear the (Aurora) mayor and city council members blame Venezuelan migrants and not listen to the more nuanced conversation where they actually reveal that they don’t really know who these people are.”

In a new statement Wednesday, the city of Aurora confirmed that “elements” of the Venezuelan gang are active in Aurora, but said “reports of TdA influence … are isolated.” Ryan Luby, deputy director of the city’s communications and marketing department, said Aurora police have formed a special task force with other partners to investigate TdA and “other criminal activity affecting immigrant communities.”

TdA began as a prison gang in Venezuela and has expanded across the Western Hemisphere. In July, the Biden administration designated the gang a transnational criminal organization, charging it with human smuggling and trafficking, gender-based violence, money laundering, and illegal drug trafficking.

Denver7 reached out to Homeland Security Investigations about TdA’s presence in Colorado. A spokesperson for the agency said it is “aware of recent violent crimes and arrests in Colorado involving individuals allegedly associated with the Tren de Aragua gang and continues to assess emerging trends and assist partner law enforcement agencies.”

Kassa fears that resources for law-abiding immigrant families will dwindle if the public loses sight of them.

“So many families, children and residents have been truly harmed by this story,” he said.