Four Venezuelan members of the Tren de Aragua gang arrested in Colorado have been confirmed as illegal aliens, an ICE spokesperson told Fox News in a statement.
The Venezuelan nationals, who range in age from 19 to 24, crossed the southern border through Texas illegally in 2022 and 2023, during the Biden administration. All four are now in ICE custody.
The four were arrested after a shootout near Nome Street Apartments, one of the apartment buildings in Aurora that had been taken over by armed members of the Tren de Aragua.
REPORT: ALLEGED APARTMENT SEIZURE IN AURORA, COLORADO BY A VENEZUELAN GANG BEGAN IN 2023
Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, Nixon Jose Azuaje Perez and Dixon Jose Azuaje Perez were arrested in connection with an attempted murder on July 28.
According to Aurora police, “we can now confirm that [Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos] He is a documented member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA). He is the brother of Jhonardy José Pacheco-Chirinos, also known as 'Cookie' or 'Galleta'.
Four Venezuelan citizens were confirmed to be illegally in the United States in a statement provided to Fox News by ICE on Thursday. (Aurora Police Department, Edward Romero)
“Additionally, two others who were arrested that same day are suspected gang members. Their names are Dixon Azuaje-Perez, 20, and Nixon Azuaje-Perez, 19. Both were arrested for tampering with evidence in the July 28 shooting on Nome Street. These two have gang ties and are suspected members of TdA,” the Aurora Police Department said.
Surveillance footage from the Romero family's apartment went viral last week showing heavily armed members of the Tren de Aragua gang breaking down the door of an apartment in Aurora.
The Tren de Aragua transnational gang has around 5,000 members between Venezuela and the United States and is known to be involved in drug and human trafficking.
POLICE: MEMBERS OF THE TREN DE ARAGUA GANGS ARRESTED IN AURORA, COLORADO, IN CONNECTION WITH APARTMENT BUILDING SEIZURE
According to ICE, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, 24, or “Cookie,” was encountered by Border Patrol agents in the Del Rio, Texas, sector in October 2022. Pacheco was released and given a notice to appear. Pacheco is currently facing felony charges for assault with a deadly weapon, among others.
Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, “Cookie's” brother, was arrested for attempted murder and other charges. He was also arrested in the Del Rio sector of Texas in October 2022.
Both Nixon and Dixon Azuaje-Perez were detained by Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, on August 22, 2023. Both were served notices to appear and were released on parole into the United States pending proceedings.
“Thanks to the Biden administration's failure to secure the border, the people of Aurora and other Americans have suffered at the hands of the Tren de Aragua gang,” Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to the House Homeland Security Committee, there have been at least 7.8 million encounters with illegal immigrants at the southwest border during the Biden administration. ICE makes decisions on a case-by-case basis.
