U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested three members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang in two states this week as the new administration begins its term. mass expulsion surgea senior Trump administration official told Fox News.
Nestor Jose Mendoza-Garcia was arrested Thursday in San Antonio, Texas, and Elmer Aparicio-Castillo and an unidentified 36-year-old man were arrested the same day in Nashville, all after allegedly entering the country illegally. last year when they were processed and arrested by the Biden administration.
“Throughout this week, ICE heroes tracked down, arrested, and immediately deported hundreds of criminal illegal aliens, including those accused of rape, child sexual assault, terrorism, and even murder,” President Donald Trump said at a press conference. gathering in Las Vegas SATURDAY.
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“Members of the wild Venezuelan prison gang known as the Tren de Aragua. Do you know this gang? They are not a friendly group of people. They formed in prison, then [Venezuela] threw their prisons in our country.
“They are as bad as the bloodthirsty MS-13 gangs“.
Nestor Jose Mendoza-Garcia, right, and Elmer Aparicio-Castillo were arrested by ICE this week. (ICE)
Mendoza-Garcia arrived in the United States in October and received a summons to appear in court before being released.
He was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department in November for possession of a firearm in connection with an unsolved murder.
On Thursday, ICE San Antonio obtained a federal indictment and arrest warrant for Mendoza-Garcia for being an alien in possession of a firearm. He is an active member of the gang, the official said.
Aparicio-Castillo received a summons after a meeting with ICE in El Paso, Texas, in September.
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He was arrested Thursday by ICE Nashville for allegedly being an alien in possession of a firearm. He is also said to have ties to the gang.
President Donald Trump called the gang “bloodthirsty like MS-13” during a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Aparicio-Castillo’s criminal history includes charges of escape, promoting prostitution and possession of marijuana in Nashville.
After his criminal decision, Aparicio-Castillo will be administratively arrested for immigration proceedings, the official said.
The unidentified 36-year-old Venezuelan entered the United States illegally through Eagle Pass, Texas, in December and received a summons.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted this image Friday, writing on X that “the deportation flights have begun.” (White House)
His criminal history also includes evading arrest, promoting prostitution and possession of marijuana in Nashville.
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He was administratively arrested by ICE Nashville on Thursday.
Bill Melugin of Fox News contributed to this report.
