Tren de Aragua: A Transnational Threat and Its Impact on Venezuelan Migrants

The Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, has become a growing concern for U.S. officials. The gang’s rise has sparked political debates and contributed to the stigmatization of Venezuelan migrants seeking asylum in the United States. President Trump’s recent executive order invoking the Alien Enemies act reflects the heightened anxieties surrounding this group,stating that Venezuelan citizens 14 years and older with ties to the gang “are liable to be apprehended,restrained,secured,and removed as Alien Enemies.”

The Biden administration labeled Tren de Aragua a transnational criminal organization in 2024, and the trump White house initiated steps to designate it as a foreign terrorist organization in January 2025.

A Rising Force From Venezuela

tren de Aragua, or “Train of Aragua,” originated in Tocorón prison in Venezuela’s northern aragua state. the gang transformed the prison “into a mini-city with a pool, restaurants and a zoo,” according to reports. They maintained control through violence, allegedly recording executions and torture.

As Venezuela’s economy deteriorated and the government under President Nicolás Maduro became increasingly repressive, Tren de aragua expanded its operations. Exploiting vulnerable migrants, the gang’s influence spread throughout Latin america, evolving into a violent criminal organization involved in sex trafficking, human smuggling, and drug trafficking.

Expansion across Latin America

by 2022, Colombian officials had linked the gang to at least 23 murders after police discovered “body parts” in bags. Alleged members have been apprehended in Chile and Brazil, where the gang reportedly aligned with Primeiro Comando da Capital, a major Brazilian organized crime group.

Emergence in the United States

Despite uncertainties about its size and capabilities within the United States, Tren de Aragua has become a growing concern for law enforcement. In New York City, the gang is reportedly involved in cellphone theft, retail theft, and dealing a synthetic drug known as Tusi, “that is often laced with ketamine, MDMA or fentanyl.”

Law enforcement believes the gang recruits members from within the city’s migrant shelters and has engaged in conflicts and alliances with other gangs.

Outside of New York, individuals linked to Tren de Aragua “have been charged with crimes such as shootings and human trafficking, mostly targeting members of the Venezuelan community.” In May 2024, a federal investigation uncovered a sex-trafficking ring where the gang was allegedly “forcing venezuelan women into sex to repay debts to smugglers who assisted with border crossings” across multiple states.

The gang’s presence in the U.S. became a point of contention during the 2024 election. Mr. Trump “falsely suggested” that the gang had taken over Aurora, Colo., during a presidential debate.

Stigma Faced by Migrants

the Trump administration has emphasized Tren de Aragua in its deportation efforts.Though, Venezuelan migrants seeking asylum report that the gang’s presence and related discussions have created “hurtful stigma and discrimination” against them.

Evelyn Velasquez, a 33-year-old Venezuelan woman, stated in September, “Any of us who have tattoos, they think that we are Tren de Aragua…I’ll go apply for a job and when they hear that we are Venezuelan, they turn us down.”

Recent Developments and Controversies

In February 2025, the White House press secretary announced that 10 men “detained and housed in Guantánamo Bay” were members of Tren de Aragua. Though, the sister of one of the detainees “said that he was not a gang member,” highlighting the potential for misidentification and the complexities of these cases.

Also, in February 2025, the Trump administration emptied two detention sites previously used to hold 177 Venezuelans.

The evolving situation with tren de Aragua presents both challenges and opportunities. while the threat posed by the gang must be addressed with robust law enforcement strategies and international cooperation, it is equally important to avoid broad generalizations and ensure fair treatment of Venezuelan migrants. Further research and community engagement are crucial to understanding the nuances of this issue and developing effective solutions that uphold both security and human rights.