Central Missouri News

Congressman Mark Alford and Congressman Sam Graves, along with Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, have raised concerns to President Joe Biden regarding the release of Venezuelan gang members in the United States. They were joined by Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer, Ann Wagner, Jason Smith, and Eric Burlison in addressing these issues.

The lawmakers wrote to President Biden expressing their worry over the administration's handling of illegal immigrants from Venezuela. "We write to you today to express our deep and growing concern regarding your administration’s refusal to hold Venezuela accountable for unacceptable delays in the removal process for illegal immigrants," they stated. The letter suggests that these delays could be seen as allowing a foreign nation to influence U.S. immigration enforcement and pose risks to local communities.

An incident on October 25, 2024, involved Clinton County law enforcement briefly detaining two Venezuelan nationals identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Despite this identification, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly instructed local authorities in Missouri to release these individuals due to Venezuela's non-cooperation with deportation efforts.

The lawmakers emphasized their concern about the release of gang members. "...Despite identifying Tren de Aragua as a 'deadly criminal threat,' your Administration reportedly directed local law enforcement in Missouri to release a known member of this organization due to Venezuela’s refusal to cooperate on deportation cases."

The letter concluded with a call for the Biden Administration to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy. This policy aims "to ensure that dangerous gang members are not paroled into our communities."

Read the full letter here.