Achi news desk-
Last Updated: March 28, 2024, 11:59 IST
Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
The video ignited the issue of migrants in the United States. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
A Venezuelan migrant influencer who promotes illegal immigration to the United States is on the run from authorities after skipping out on a program. Follow the story here
A Venezuelan “immigrant influencer” in the United States, who has been seen encouraging others to cross the country across the border and squat in American homes is on the run from immigration officials.
Leonel Moreno crossed the US southern border illegally in April 2022 in Eagle Pass, Texas, and was enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, which allows federal authorities to track migrants using technologies such as ankle monitors. However, Moreno did not follow the rules and is now listed as a “fugitive” from the program, according to internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents seen by the New York Post.
Illegals are taking over America one house at a time now. Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan national known as @leitooficial_25 on TikTok and Instagram, who lives in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, recently explained in a video that according to US law, “if it’s a house that nobody lives in it, we can… pic.twitter.com/L8EatZM3Pp— nycphotog (@nycphotog) March 21, 2024
Earlier this month, Moreno was seen in several TikTok videos offering tips on how to “attack” vacant homes and to steal the rights of squatters in the United States. Despite efforts to find him, Moreno has managed to evade law enforcement, even posting videos on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. In one video, he showed off a wad of $100 bills, demonstrating a lifestyle that appeared to be financed through questionable means.
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office director John Fabbricatore slammed the Biden administration’s reliance on the ATD program, describing it as a “failure” that allows individuals like Moreno to evade authorities and continue to exploit the system. Fabbricatore underlined the program’s high escape rates and emphasized the need for accountability. Moreno’s online presence has raised concerns about his influence on others, particularly Venezuelans seeking asylum in the US. He has encouraged his followers to take advantage of loopholes in the system, bragging about living in the United States without having to work and taking advantage of government programs.
Venezuelans began arriving in the United States in 2021, first by flying to Mexico and then by foot and bus after Mexico imposed visa restrictions. In September, Venezuelans briefly replaced Mexicans as the largest nationality crossing the border. However, at the urging of the Biden administration, Mexico has hit Venezuelans particularly hard. This highlights how much the United States relies on Mexico to control migration, which has reached unprecedented levels and is a major issue for voters as President Joe Biden seeks re-election.
Arrests of migrants for illegally crossing the US-Mexico border have fallen so far this year after a record high in December, according to The Associated Press. The biggest drop was among Venezuelans, whose arrests fell to 3,184 in February and 4,422 in January from 49,717 in December. While two months doesn’t make a trend and illegal crossings remain high by historical standards, Mexico’s strategy to keep migrants closer to its border with Guatemala than the United States is at least temporary relief for the Biden administration .
(With agency input)
