Efforts to crack down on criminal activities linked to undocumented immigrants have intensified in El Paso County, following the arrest of several suspected members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the apprehensions, marking a significant development in the collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies, as reported by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
This coordination comes after Sheriff Joseph Roybal announced in February that his office would actively assist ICE with their investigations. The presence of Tren de Aragua gang members and the implications for public safety were recently brought into sharp focus during a Congressional Oversight Hearing where Congressman Jeff Crank discussed the effectiveness of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's sanctuary policies. "For years now, politicians have said we don’t have a problem with crime associated with immigration in Colorado," Roybal stated, as per El Paso County Sheriff's Office, expressing his concerns about the region's safety.
Moreover, Roybal was quoted as saying, "I will be transparent with the citizens I serve, and the truth is, dangerous illegal immigrant criminals, such as Tren de Aragua gang members, are here in the Pikes Peak region," as obtained by El Paso County Sheriff's Office. This admission underscores the importance Roybal places on protecting the community and addressing the criminal elements that challenge public safety. The Sheriff's Office has leveraged partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and ICE to efficiently remove these criminals from the streets.
