Trump Border Czar Announce Charges Against 27 in Gang Takedown

Empty courtroom with chairs and wooden walls

President Trump’s border czar announced federal charges against 27 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang in a historic crackdown, marking the first racketeering case against this dangerous criminal organization.

Quick Takes

Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan and NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the first-ever federal racketeering charges against 27 members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang
The gang is charged with trafficking, drug distribution, robbery, and firearms possession across multiple states
21 of the 27 charged individuals are already in custody, with 6 still at large
The case demonstrates strengthened cooperation between the Trump administration and NYC leadership after corruption charges against Adams were dropped

Historic Gang Takedown Shows Trump Administration Taking Action

In a powerful demonstration of federal and local cooperation, President Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan joined New York City Mayor Eric Adams to announce charges against 27 alleged members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The announcement marks the first time federal racketeering charges have been used against this dangerous criminal organization that has spread throughout the Western Hemisphere. The indictments target two factions of the gang operating in New York City, with 21 members already in custody and six others still being sought by authorities.

The gang, which originated in Venezuela, has been linked to kidnappings, extortion, trafficking, and other serious crimes across multiple countries. According to federal prosecutors, Tren de Aragua smuggled women from Venezuela into Peru and the United States, forcing them into prostitution through threats and intimidation. The charges are divided into two separate indictments: one targeting members of the main Tren de Aragua organization and another for a splinter group known as “Anti-Tren” that operates in the same criminal sphere.

President Donald Trump’s border czar joined New York City’s mayor on Tuesday to tout new federal charges against 27 people accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members and associates. https://t.co/Hpm4o8Zikc

— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) April 23, 2025

Trump Administration’s Border Security Strategy in Action

During the announcement, Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan delivered a clear message to gang members: “Every member of TDA should be on the run.” Homan emphasized that this operation represents President Trump’s commitment to targeting dangerous foreign criminal organizations that entered the country during the previous administration’s border policies. President Trump has labeled Tren de Aragua as an invading force and has invoked the Alien Enemies Act as part of his strategy to deport noncitizens from countries with which the United States is in conflict. “Every member of TDA should be on the run,” declared Thomas Homan.

The operation showcases the new administration’s enhanced cooperation with local law enforcement. “This is what collaboration looks like,” Homan stated, highlighting the partnership between federal authorities and the NYPD. This cooperative approach has already resulted in significant arrests, including Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, who was taken into custody in January and is among those indicted. The Trump administration’s focus on targeting criminal aliens has been a cornerstone of its immigration enforcement strategy since taking office.

NYC Mayor Adams Supporting Federal Immigration Enforcement

Mayor Eric Adams, who recently had federal corruption charges against him dropped, used the announcement to emphasize his commitment to public safety and cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Adams has faced opposition from the City Council regarding his support for allowing ICE officials to operate at Rikers Island jail, a plan temporarily halted by a New York judge. During the press conference, Adams directly challenged his critics with a pointed question: “The question that we must answer: whose side are you on?”

Adams has firmly rejected the notion that those being apprehended are simply nonviolent immigrants, instead emphasizing the violent nature of the gang’s activities. The mayor’s stance represents a significant shift in New York City’s approach to federal immigration enforcement, aligning more closely with the Trump administration’s priorities on deporting criminal aliens. This partnership between federal authorities and NYC leadership demonstrates how the administration’s border security strategy extends well beyond the southern border, reaching into America’s largest cities to target criminal organizations with ties to foreign nations.