A Venezuelan illegal migrant who went viral on TikTok after he called on other illegals to take over and squat in the homes of Americans has been ordered to leave the United States by a judge. Still, it is unlikely his deportation will be enforced due to Venezuela halting flights from the U.S. amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Leonel Moreno, 27, was initially arrested in March after failing to attend mandatory check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Homeland Security sources report that Moreno arrived in the United States illegally via Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2022.
The current diplomatic impasse stems from economic sanctions against President Nicolás Maduro’s government. These sanctions prompted Venezuela to stop accepting deportation flights from the U.S. and Mexico.
Moreno gained notoriety on social media for his videos flaunting cash and advocating for squatting in U.S. homes. He frequently posted content featuring his infant daughter, who has U.S. citizenship, and boasted about receiving government assistance. In one post, Moreno claimed his daughter’s hospital birth was funded by the U.S. government, referencing “Papa Biden.”
Moreno claimed to be a low-ranking Venezuelan navy serviceman during his court hearing, although there are allegations linking him to Venezuelan military intelligence.
Members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been engaging in similar tactics to those of Moreno advocates, only they have been taking over apartment buildings while residents are still living in them.
Officials in Aurora, Colorado, announced last week that ten members of the gang had been arrested after viral video footage showed armed members of the gang taking over an apartment complex and allegedly extorting residents for rent money.