U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 100 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua during a series of raids in Aurora, Colorado, on Wednesday (February 5). The operation targeted apartment complexes where the gang has reportedly taken over empty units. The raids were supported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI.
KDVR reported that raids were conducted at at least four complexes in the city, including The Edge at Lowry in Aurora.
ABC News reported that another apartment building targeted was the Whispering Pines complex. Agents went door-to-door, leaving red tape on doors where nobody answered. They placed green tape on doors where residents answered and allowed agents to check inside for any illegal immigrants. As the early morning raid went on, protesters were outside the building using a megaphone to tell residents not to answer their doors or speak to the federal agents.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division also said that agents were conducting a raid at the Cedar Run Apartments, sharing a video of agents using a smoke grenade before entering an apartment.
The raids are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, a priority for President Donald Trump, who has criticized Denver and Aurora for being too welcoming to undocumented immigrants.
In a statement, ICE's Denver Enforcement and Removal Operations team confirmed the focus on Tren de Aragua members. Acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello stated that the agency had to conduct community raids due to a lack of cooperation from local jails.