During a recent podcast, Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall made a claim that violent gangs from Venezuela were infiltrating the United States as a result of the immigration policy implemented by the Biden administration.
“We are currently witnessing a rise in the number of Haitian individuals in Alabama. However, there are also reports about Venezuelan gangs, which are even more dangerous than MS-13,” Marshall explained. “These gangs have caught the attention of law enforcement agencies.”
Marshall’s comments echo the discredited conspiracy theories propagated by former President Donald Trump, suggesting that Venezuelan gangs had seized control of significant parts of a town in Colorado.
In response to a surveillance video from an apartment complex in Aurora, CO that gained media attention, President Trump made remarks about a group of armed men, believed to be members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, who were seen roaming the halls before entering an apartment. However, The Denver Post, reported that both Aurora and Denver police have stated that the gang’s numbers are relatively small and they mainly operate in isolated areas. Some even argue that the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang in Aurora, a city with a population of nearly 400,000 people, has been exaggerated.
“There seems to be a widespread panic regarding a supposed gang problem, but in reality, the city of Aurora is grappling with a different issue altogether,” stated Alison Coombs, a councilwoman from Aurora. She firmly believes that the deteriorating state of apartment buildings in the city is primarily a result of negligent property management, rather than any significant gang activity.”
Aurora interim police Chief Heather Morris recently addressed conspiracy theories suggesting that residents in the city are paying rent to gang members. She emphasized that these claims are unfounded and clarified the situation. Despite concerns about an increase in crime due to the arrival of Venezuelan asylum-seekers, the reality is quite different. In fact, crime in Aurora has seen a significant decrease this year. In the first eight months of 2024, reported crime in the city was down by 20 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
However, despite efforts by communities like Aurora to combat the unfair portrayal of their Venezuelan neighbors, Attorney General Marshall is persisting in asserting that violent immigrants are entering the country in large numbers. Marshall has gone so far as to claim that these “Venezuelan gangs” are arriving by air, supposedly due to the Biden administration’s Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV), which has expanded asylum opportunities for refugees from these countries.
According to Marshall, the waiting list for entry into the country is substantial. It is important to note that these individuals do not have to physically present themselves at a border crossing to state their purpose for entry. Instead, they are utilizing an app to submit their information and flying into the country via airplanes, often with specific destinations in mind.
Marshall had previously expressed his agreement with concerns about Haitian immigrants overwhelming communities in Alabama. Additionally, Haitian refugees have been targeted by unfounded conspiracy theories that falsely claim they are eating their neighbors’ pets. Former President Trump also contributed to the spread of these misconceptions.
During the presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris in September, Trump expressed his concerns about the dire circumstances in our country, stating, “They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.” Trump’s words shed light on the severity of the situation and the unfortunate reality faced by some individuals within our nation.
“It is unjust for individuals coming from Haiti and other places to be left on their own without a sponsor to take care of them,” Marshall expressed. “They face language barriers and uncertainty about where to go or what to do. As a result, they become vulnerable to exploitation by individuals with malicious intentions, rather than those genuinely interested in helping them.”
Marshall wasted no time expressing his disbelief in the idea of allocating resources to facilitate the societal and cultural transition for these refugees.
Marshall expressed his concern about the welfare of individuals being brought into the country, emphasizing that these concerns should not be dismissed. He highlighted the frustration of people who feel that the government is making decisions without their knowledge or input. Marshall acknowledged that there are societal costs associated with integrating individuals who don’t speak the language into society.
Marshall’s comments have left us with a sense of ambiguity regarding his true concern about the CHNV program and the necessary steps to address it effectively. It is unclear what specific problem he is referring to and what actions he believes should be taken to tackle it.
