A planned ICE operation in Aurora, Colorado, targeting members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was severely disrupted after details of the raid were leaked to the community. Border czar Tom Homan, undeterred by the setback, has vowed to find those responsible for the leak and to continue his mission to deport criminal aliens.
The operation, which was expected to result in over 100 arrests, led to only 30 detentions after officers arrived to find many residences had been cleared out in advance. Of those detained, only one confirmed Tren de Aragua gang member was taken into custody. Homan called the leak an obstruction of justice and promised to prosecute the individual responsible.
As ICE agents attempted to conduct arrests, activists gathered in the area, using megaphones to direct illegal aliens on how to avoid apprehension. Some shouted insults at law enforcement, while others urged migrants not to cooperate with officers. Homan warned that individuals who interfere with federal operations could soon face legal consequences.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks stated that a local media outlet may have played a role in tipping off activists, prompting Homan to consider restricting media access to future ICE operations to prevent further disruptions.
Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky acknowledged that activist groups have been advising migrants on how to avoid ICE, but said she had no direct knowledge of who leaked the operation. She also stated that some residents cooperated with federal agents and had no issue answering questions about their status.
Despite the challenges posed by leaks and activist interference, Homan remains focused on his goal of eradicating Tren de Aragua’s presence in the U.S. He reiterated that the gang’s members will be caught and either imprisoned or sent to Guantanamo Bay. ICE has already detained 12,000 criminal aliens since President Donald Trump took office, with Homan promising to ramp up enforcement efforts in the coming weeks.
