Venezuelan Migrant Influencer, Who Called For 'US Border Invasion,' Is Now Absconding From Authorities

The Venezuelan “migrant influencer” in the US, who was seen encouraging others to invade the country via border and squat at American homes is on the run from immigration officials.

Leonel Moreno crossed the southern US border illegally in April 2022 at Eagle Pass, Texas, and was enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, which allows federal authorities to track migrants using technologies like ankle monitors. However, Moreno didn’t follow the rules and is now listed as an “absconder” from the program, according to internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents seen by the New York Post.

Earlier this month, Moreno was seen in several TikTok videos offering tips on how to “invade” unoccupied homes and invoke squatter’s rights in the United States. Despite efforts to track him down, Moreno has managed to evade law enforcement, even posting videos on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In one video, he flaunted a wad of $100 bills, showcasing a lifestyle seemingly funded through questionable means.

Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office director John Fabbricatore slammed the Biden administration’s reliance on the ATD program, describing it as a “failure” that allows individuals like Moreno to evade authorities and continue to exploit the system. Fabbricatore underlined the program’s high absconder rates and stressed the need for accountability. Moreno’s online presence has raised concerns about his influence on others, particularly Venezuelans seeking refuge in the US. He has encouraged his followers to exploit loopholes in the system, boasting about living in the US without having to work and taking advantage of government programs.

Venezuelans began reaching the US in 2021, first by flying to Mexico and then on foot and by bus after Mexico imposed visa restrictions. In September, Venezuelans briefly replaced Mexicans as the largest nationality crossing the border. However, at the urging of the Biden administration, Mexico has hit Venezuelans especially hard. This highlights how much the US depends on Mexico to control migration, which has reached unprecedented levels and is a top issue for voters as President Joe Biden seeks reelection.

Arrests of migrants for illegally crossing the US-Mexico border have dropped so this year after a record high in December, according to The Associated Press. The biggest decline was among Venezuelans, whose arrests plummeted to 3,184 in February and 4,422 in January from 49,717 in December. While two months do not make a trend and illegal crossings remain high by historical standards, Mexico’s strategy to keep migrants closer to its border with Guatemala than the U.S. is at least temporary relief for the Biden administration.

(With agency inputs)