Members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) are broadening their criminal reach across the U.S., including in Midwestern states such as Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Known for their brutality, TdA members have been linked to a wide range of violent activities including human trafficking, drug smuggling, and extortion.

In Illinois, Chicago has long struggled with criminal operations tied to illegal immigration, often fueled by international drug cartels like the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel. The city has become a major hub for transnational gangs, with the influx of more than one million Venezuelan illegal border crossers under the Biden administration further exacerbating the issue. As members of TdA infiltrate these communities, their criminal activities are spreading throughout the region.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the growing border crisis has coincided with an alarming increase in violence across the nation. Chicago, once considered a sanctuary city, has seen a significant uptick in TdA-linked crimes, including human trafficking, sex exploitation, and drug trafficking. Investigations have uncovered shocking reports of dismemberment used as a tactic for intimidating rivals.

Records from the Chicago Police Department confirm at least 30 arrests of confirmed TdA members between January 2023 and September 2024. Between 2021 and 2023, arrests of Venezuelan nationals in Chicago skyrocketed, with a staggering 2,500% increase in 2023 compared to 2021. This surge in arrests highlights the extent to which TdA has embedded itself in the city’s criminal underworld.

The gang’s reach extends far beyond Chicago. Last month, a suspected TdA member, who had entered the U.S. illegally in Texas, was arrested in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during a nationwide sex trafficking crackdown. His arrest, following multiple prior offenses, underscores the gang’s pervasive presence in multiple states.

In Indiana, authorities uncovered a sex trafficking ring tied to TdA members, allegedly involving forced prostitution and operating links to Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, in Missouri, arrests related to TdA activities have prompted state and federal lawmakers to take action, with new legislation in the works to address the growing threat.

Wisconsin has also seen an uptick in TdA-related arrests, including a confirmed member detained on serious charges including child abuse and sexual assault. This follows a pattern of violence associated with the gang, who are known for their violent tactics and exploitation of vulnerable migrant communities.

While there have been reports of confusion between TdA and other South American theft groups (SATG), authorities have clarified the differences in their methods. While SATG targets affluent neighborhoods for burglaries, TdA members engage in far more violent crimes, including forced prostitution, aggravated assault, and even murder.

Both groups, however, share a common characteristic: their members entered the U.S. illegally under the current administration, marking a rise in violent crime linked to illegal immigration. With both groups remaining at large and their criminal activities intensifying, authorities continue to work to dismantle their operations while pressing for stronger immigration enforcement.