Trump Border Czar Helps NYC Bust Violent Gang

Hands in handcuffs behind back in dark room.

New York City sees unprecedented cooperation between Trump’s border czar and Mayor Eric Adams as federal charges are filed against 27 members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for crimes ranging from trafficking to armed robbery.

Key Insights

President Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan and NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced federal RICO charges against 27 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang – the first such charges against this organization.
The gang is accused of smuggling women from Venezuela to Peru and the U.S. and forcing them into prostitution, along with drug trafficking, robbery, and firearms possession.
21 of the 27 gang members charged are in custody, with six still at large, as President Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens from countries at war with the U.S.
Mayor Adams, despite recent legal troubles of his own, has taken a strong stance against immigrant crime, supporting federal immigration officials operating at Rikers Island jail.

Coordinated Federal-City Crackdown on Violent Gang

In a powerful display of cooperation between federal and city authorities, President Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan joined NYC Mayor Eric Adams to announce federal racketeering charges against 27 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The announcement marks a significant victory in the fight against violent immigrant crime that has plagued parts of New York City. The indictments represent the first application of federal RICO charges against this notorious gang, which has spread its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere after originating in Venezuela.

The charges stem from extensive investigation into the gang’s activities in New York City and beyond, revealing a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior. According to federal prosecutors, Tren de Aragua members engaged in trafficking, smuggling women from Venezuela into Peru and the United States and forcing them into prostitution through violence and coercion. The gang is also charged with drug trafficking, robbery, and illegal weapons possession, representing a significant threat to public safety. Of the 27 individuals named in the indictments, 21 are already in custody.

President Donald Trump’s border czar joined New York City’s mayor on Tuesday to tout new federal charges against 27 people accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members and associates. https://t.co/Hpm4o8Zikc

— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) April 23, 2025

Political Cooperation Amid National Security Concerns

The joint announcement highlights an unusual alliance between Mayor Adams, a Democrat, and the Trump administration. This cooperation comes in the wake of federal corruption charges against Adams being dropped, allowing the mayor to focus on addressing crime issues in his city. President Trump has characterized Tren de Aragua as an invading force and has invoked the Alien Enemies Act as part of his broader strategy to deport noncitizens from countries with which the United States is in conflict, a move that resonates with his tough stance on immigration.

“Every member of TDA should be on the run,” said Thomas Homan at the press conference. “This is what collaboration looks like.”

The charges are divided into two indictments: one targeting members of the main Tren de Aragua organization and another focused on the “Anti-Tren” splinter faction. Among those indicted is Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, who was arrested in January and was involved in an armed robbery that went viral on social media. The case demonstrates how criminal enterprises can evolve and fragment while continuing to pose threats to community safety. It also underscores the need for coordinated law enforcement responses at all levels of government.

Manhattan prosecutors say the case is the first to bring federal racketeering charges, which were famously used to bring down the Mafia, against the Venezuelan gang

More than two dozen face charges including sex trafficking, drug trafficking and robberyhttps://t.co/8cy1kLRyrY

— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) April 23, 2025

Mayor Adams Takes Firm Stance on Public Safety

Mayor Adams has taken a strong position on the need to rid New York City of violent immigrant gangs, regardless of political considerations. “The question that we must answer: whose side are you on?” Adams stated during the announcement, making clear his prioritization of public safety. This stance represents a challenge to those who have characterized migrant apprehensions as targeting law-abiding individuals, as Adams emphasized that the gang members charged are responsible for serious violent crimes affecting New York City residents.

“The question that we must answer is whose side are you on?” said Eric Adams, drawing a clear line between protecting law-abiding citizens and prosecuting criminal elements regardless of immigration status.

Adams has also supported allowing federal immigration officials to operate at Rikers Island jail, though this plan has been temporarily halted by a New York judge following a lawsuit from the City Council. This disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between different levels of government regarding immigration enforcement priorities. Despite these challenges, the collaboration between city and federal authorities in the Tren de Aragua case demonstrates that when public safety is at stake, cooperation across political lines is both possible and necessary for effective law enforcement.