In Dona Ana County, New Mexico, a shocking case has emerged involving former judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy, who were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for allegedly harboring three wanted Venezuelan men in their home. This incident highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding immigration enforcement and gang-related activities in the U.S.
The arrest took place after the Department of Homeland Security Investigations sanctioned a search and arrest warrant for the three men, believed to be affiliated with the notorious Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua. The gang, which has gained notoriety for its violent activities, has reportedly expanded its operations beyond Venezuela, raising alarms among U.S. authorities.
According to the documents filed, one of the wanted men stated that he and his associates had a prior relationship with the Cano couple, as they were responsible for the maintenance of the Cano’s residence. They had moved into the villa after being evicted from another apartment. This revelation has raised questions about the couple's awareness of the men's criminal ties.
Former judge Cano, who resigned in March 2025, has since been permanently barred from holding any judicial office in New Mexico. In a 23-page letter submitted to the New Mexico Supreme Court, he vehemently denied any knowledge of the men's alleged connections to Tren de Aragua, claiming that they had all the necessary documentation to reside in the U.S. “The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid,” he wrote. Cano expressed deep concern for his three grandchildren, stating, “There is no way in the world that I would have allowed my grandkids to have any contact with the boys if I had sensed danger.”
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Tren de Aragua has drawn attention beyond New Mexico. On April 26, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security took action to protect a child whose parents are reportedly involved with the gang. The child’s father, Maiker Espinoza-Escalona, is identified as a lieutenant overseeing various criminal activities, including homicides and drug sales. The mother, Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte, is alleged to recruit young women for drug smuggling and prostitution.
The child was removed from her parents' custody and placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. This action has sparked controversy, with the Venezuelan government claiming that the U.S. “kidnapped” the child. However, U.S. officials assert that the removal was necessary due to the violent criminal activities of the parents. A senior DHS official stated, “We will not allow this child to be abused and continue to be exposed to criminal activity that endangers her safety.”
In a related development, on April 27, 2025, a multi-agency operation involving the Department of Justice (DOJ), DHS, and the Rocky Mountain DEA led to a raid at a Colorado Springs nightclub. This venue was reportedly frequented by Tren de Aragua gang members and active duty military personnel. Jonathan Pullin, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division, described the nightclub as an underground operation where significant drug trafficking and prostitution occurred.
During the raid, agents seized drugs and firearms, arresting more than 100 illegal aliens among the 200 patrons present. Many of those arrested were found to be associated with various gangs, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Hell's Angels. The Army Criminal Investigation Division is now probing the involvement of military personnel in the alleged criminal activities.
The portrayal of Tren de Aragua has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s immigration strategy. The administration has characterized the gang as a state-sponsored international terrorist organization, using this narrative to justify extreme enforcement measures against Venezuelan immigrants. President Trump has claimed that the gang is conducting hostile actions and irregular warfare in the U.S., which he argues warrants the deportation of suspected members without due process.
However, experts have challenged this characterization, suggesting that the Trump administration has exaggerated the threat posed by Tren de Aragua. The gang, which originated in Venezuela, has indeed extended its reach to other countries in Latin America, but its presence in the U.S. is described as diffuse and uncoordinated. According to some scholars, Tren de Aragua is not as established or powerful as other gangs operating in the region, such as MS-13 or the Mexican cartels.
Recent reports indicate that U.S. authorities have charged 27 alleged current or former members of Tren de Aragua with various offenses, including racketeering and sex trafficking. This crackdown has raised concerns among the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S., who feel they are being unfairly targeted. By late 2024, the DHS was investigating over 600 immigrants suspected of having connections to the gang, a figure that represents a minuscule percentage of the 700,000 Venezuelans resettled in the U.S.
Critics of the administration’s approach argue that the criteria used to identify gang members—such as tattoos or specific clothing—are overly broad and not reliable indicators of criminal affiliation. Furthermore, several federal judges have questioned the legality of using the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals without due process, a move that has drawn lawsuits from the ACLU.
While Tren de Aragua may have established itself as a criminal entity in parts of the Americas, its portrayal as a significant threat to U.S. national security remains contested. The complex dynamics of immigration enforcement, gang violence, and the safety of vulnerable individuals continue to challenge policymakers and law enforcement agencies alike.
