Free Republic

Somehow, in today’s upside-down world, the radicalized left has decided that violent gang members are the new underdogs they need to defend. Instead of standing up for law-abiding American citizens, they’ve gone all-in on protecting the worst of the worst—drug traffickers, sex offenders, murderers, and now, even foreign-backed gangbangers. And while they’re busy shedding tears for MS-13 and waving in cartel thugs at the border, everyday Americans are being thrown to the wolves. But now we’ve reached a whole new level of disturbing. A new report from Fox News has dropped—and every single American should be talking about it. This...

A former judge and his wife were taken into custody after authorities raided their home in Las Cruces following accusations that they had an alleged Tren de Aragua member living in their home. KFOX14/CBS4 were on the scene Thursday afternoon when the home of former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and a probable cause arrest warrant, and both were taken into custody. A spokesperson for ICE confirmed they were both taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Security...

The FBI has determined that in the next six to 18 months, the Venezuelan government will try to use the members of TdA in the US to threaten, kidnap, and kill US-based Venezuelans critical of the Maduro regime. The FBI has said that Venezuelan officials are "likely using" members of the Tren de Aragua gang in order to destabilize the United States as well as other countries, according to a new report from Fox News. This comes after President Donald Trump has said that the government of Venezuela has purposefully been sending the terrorist gang members into the US. According...

In an unprecedented move, the Justice Department has announced the indictment of a leader of the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, who will face terrorism and international drug distribution charges. This is the first time the DOJ has brought terrorism charges against a member of the newly designated foreign terrorist organization. FBI Director Kash Patel called the first-of-its-kind terrorism indictment ‘a critical step in dismantling their network and holding its members accountable.’ Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, a reportedly high-ranking member of TdA who goes by the name ‘Chiqui.’ He is charged with conspiring to provide, and providing, material support...

The first RICO racketeering charges against members and associates of the migrant terrorist group Tren de Aragua were filed this week in New York. A statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said that the case is part of "Operation Take Back America," which it said is a "nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime." According to the statement, the charges filed...

Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 @julie_kelly2 This is what the ACLU and some federal judges including Charlotte Sweeney claim is not an “invasion” or “predatory incursion” by a hostile regime. 5:57 PM · Apr 22, 2025

Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson 🚨BREAKING: Democrat judge QUITS after getting exposed for housing a Tren de Aragua terrorist in his home. 8:42 AM · Apr 21, 2025

Saturday evening, I published three posts on A.A.R.P. v. Trump. Around midnight eastern time, Justice Alito issued his dissent, which was joined only by Justice Thomas. The dissent begins: "Shortly after midnight yesterday, the Court hastily and prematurely granted unprecedented emergency relief." He is correct. Justice Alito lists seven bullets which demonstrates why this order was problematic. The first bullet argues that it is unclear the Court had jurisdiction: It is not clear that the Court had jurisdiction. The All Writs Act does not provide an independent grant of jurisdiction. See 28 U. S. C. §1651(a) (permitting writs "necessary or...

The Trump administration responded to the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily block the deportation of illegal immigrant gang members by releasing the criminal records of several individuals alleged to be members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The gang members in question are being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas and had been slated for removal from the United States under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration has argued that the law, which grants the president authority to deport nationals of hostile foreign nations, should be applied to gang members after President Donald...

Credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office ******************************************************************** Someone find the world’s smallest violin. An illegal alien and an alleged Tren de Aragua gangster broke down like a baby being arrested in connection with a violent liquor store robbery spree across central Florida, authorities said. Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, 26, was caught alongside four other suspects tied to a series of armed heists that targeted more than 30 liquor stores, netting an estimated $30,000 in stolen goods. Many of the thefts involved threats of violence and a specific focus on high-end liquor, including bottles of premium scotch, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s...

BREAKING: DEMOCRAT NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTS TREN DE ARAGUA DESIGNATED TERRORIST LIVING AT JUDGE'S HOME! The Longtime Doña Ana County Judge Joel Cano, A Democrat Has Abruptly Resigned After Federal Agents Arrested Alleged Violent Venezuelan Tren De Aragua Gang Member & Illegal Alien, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, At A Guest House At The Judge's Residence. The Venezuelan National Was Arrested While In Possession Of Multiple Firearms, Including Ones Linked To Disturbing Alleged Crimes. Federal Court Filings Show Ortega-Lopez Was Living In The “Casita” Behind Judge Cano’s Residence In Las Cruces After Allegedly Meeting Nancy Cano While Doing Handyman...

BREAKING: DEMOCRAT NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTS TREN DE ARAGUA DESIGNATED TERRORIST LIVING AT JUDGE'S HOME! The Longtime Doña Ana County Judge Joel Cano, A Democrat Has Abruptly Resigned After Federal Agents Arrested Alleged Violent Venezuelan Tren De Aragua Gang Member & Illegal Alien, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, At A Guest House At The Judge's Residence. The Venezuelan National Was Arrested While In Possession Of Multiple Firearms, Including Ones Linked To Disturbing Alleged Crimes. Federal Court Filings Show Ortega-Lopez Was Living In The “Casita” Behind Judge Cano’s Residence In Las Cruces After Allegedly Meeting Nancy Cano While Doing Handyman...

A Doña Ana County magistrate judge has abruptly stepped down after an alleged Tren de Aragua gang affiliate who is in the U.S. illegally was reportedly arrested at his home and charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition. Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation on Mar. 3 of this year. Judge Cano, a former police officer who took the bench in 2011, told a Border Hawk source that he did indeed resign but did not comment further. Border Hawk contacted the judge’s office on Apr. 1 and was told by a clerk that he had...

Merwil Gutiérrez, 19, was deported to El Salvador despite his family’s claims that he has no criminal record or gang affiliation 19-year-old Merwil Gutiérrez was among the hundreds of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. While Gutiérrez was being detained, ICE agents allegedly indicated that he wasn’t their intended target but were told to “take him anyway.” Gutiérrez was seeking asylum in the U.S. and had an immigration court date scheduled for 2027. Despite allegedly admitting that 19-year-old Merwil Gutiérrez was not their intended target, ICE agents in New York City decided to “take...

NM Governor Who Left Border Open over Trump’s “Charade of Fear-Mongering” — Sees Illegals Flood Across Border, Then Buses Them to Denver.. ( Full title).. ... New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham withdrew 118 National Guard troops from New Mexico’s southern boundary with Mexico. ... Now the New Mexico border is being overrun by the drug cartels following the governor’s brilliant plan to remove troops from its southern border. ... The flood of illegals is too much for New Mexico to handle so now the liberal Democrat governor is busing the illegals to Denver. ... The New Mexico governor’s office...

The Port of entry in El Paso was shut down after Trump sworn in as President

Two federal judges on Wednesday blocked the removal of Venezuelan nationals and alleged TdA gang members facing deportation under the Alien Enemies Act after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case. US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., a Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) through April 23 or until he issues an order. “Respondents are enjoined from transferring, relocating, or removing J.A.V., J.G.G., W.G.H., or any other person that Respondents claim are subject to removal under the Proclamation, from the El Valle Detention Center; and Respondents are enjoined from...

Judge in Texas temporarily bars US from invoking Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans held at facility there.McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Judge in Texas temporarily bars US from invoking Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans held at facility there.

Tocorón once had it all. A nightclub, swimming pools, tigers, a lavish suite and plenty of food. This was not a Las Vegas-style resort, but it felt like it for some of the thousands who until recently lived in luxury in this sprawling prison in northern Venezuela. Here, between parties, concerts and weeks-long visits from wives and children, is the birthplace of the Tren de Aragua, a dangerous gang that has gained global notoriety after U.S. President Donald Trump put it at the center of his anti-immigrant narrative. But kidnappings, extortion and other crimes were planned, ordered or committed from...

EXCLUSIVE: I've obtained the leaked security briefing that's been provided to Trump national security officials in recent months regarding the criminal group Tren de Aragua and the Venezuela government. President Trump designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on January 20th by Executive order because it's “conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions” inside the United States. According to the order: “TdA operates in conjunction with Cártel de los Soles, the Nicolas Maduro regime-sponsored, narco-terrorism enterprise based in Venezuela, and commits brutal crimes, including murders, kidnappings, extortions, and human, drug, and weapons trafficking.” It's not a street...