
The saga of the United States border and migration crisis continues with the capture of a gang leader from Colombia who is being sought for multiple crimes committed in his country.
The unnamed leader of the gang Las Colinas, which is based out of Santa Marta, was apprehended by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency last week. He has been residing in the United States illegally in an effort to evade Colombian authorities. The 29-year-old criminal is wanted in his home country for various crimes he committed there, including aggravated theft, murder, and arms trafficking.
For the past year, the fugitive has been living freely in America, prior to his arrest by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Baltimore, Maryland. He was transferred to this division after being arrested by Border Patrol last September for his illegal crossing into the country through California.
After appearing before an immigration judge with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Colombian migrant was released from custody on recognizance. As noted in a statement from Vernon Liggins, the director of the deputy field office for ERO Baltimore, the fugitive “attempted to hide” in the state of Maryland and authorities “simply cannot” permit him to do so.
Liggins commended his officers as being “the best in the world” at tracking down suspects in hiding, emphasizing their dedication to protect Maryland residents from being subjected to areas that are “safe havens” for wanted criminals.
And the arrest of the Colombian fugitive is just the most recent example in a slew of complaints from lawmakers and citizens alike, arguing that the federal government is failing to properly vet immigrants before allowing them to roam free in the country, pending asylum or processing procedures.
Reports of convicts illegally entering the country—or worse, being allowed in by federal agents—and committing violent crimes has incensed the nation, which is anticipating how the issue will be addressed with the newly elected president come November.
On August 5, the House Judiciary Committee published a report in collaboration with the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. The document seeks to highlight the accountability held by the Biden administration’s notorious “open borders” policies, which lawmakers say “undermine national security” as well as “endanger Americans.”
The report specifically states that a minimum of 99 illegal immigrants included on the terrorist watchlist have been released with free roam into the country. It also details how over 250 unlawful migrants on the same list have been encountered at the southwest border, by federal agents, between 2021 and 2023. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly allowed 100 of them into American communities.
But the individuals on the watchlist are not just suspicious people. According to the new report, at least three illegals have been identified as having possible connections to ISIS. This key detail was not uncovered until after they used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app to enable arrival and processing at a port of entry.
Border security remains a top priority issue for voters ahead of the 2024 election, which will select either Donald Trump and his tough immigration stance or Kamala Harris and her more inclusive approach to address the ongoing problem.