Immigration
Migrant who encouraged illegals to steal homes in U.S. using squatters’ rights under investigation for firearms charges
The New York Post reported that Leonel Moreno, the “migrant influencer” who mocked America on social media and encouraged migrants to squat in the homes of US citizens in order to steal them and make them their own, is facing potential federal firearms charges.
The Post exclusively learned of and reviewed Internal federal documents showing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been in contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding Moreno, and is mulling charges against Moreno.
The Post reports the “exact charges are not known, but sources said they would likely be brought under a section of the Gun Control Act which prohibits those on parole from possessing, shipping, transporting or receiving firearms or ammunition.”
The Geauga County Jail confirmed to The Post Wednesday that Moreno remains in its custody, where he is being held on behalf of ICE. John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field office director in Denver, told The Post any possible further charges would “escalate” the case against Moreno and possibly allow authorities to keep him in custody longer.
If it were to pursue charges, the ATF would have to issue a warrant “mandating” Moreno to appear before a magistrate judge, Fabbricatore said, adding he would also have to be transferred into the custody of the US Marshals.
Charges under [Gun Control Act section] 922.g are a serious matter and can result in significant legal consequences for Moreno. “This should be a warning to any illegal aliens that possessing a firearm unlawfully will result in criminal charges and hopefully lead to a conviction,” said Fabbricatore, who is running for Congress in Colorado’s Sixth District.
In a statement to The Post, an ICE spokesperson said: “Leonel Moreno is an unlawfully present citizen of Venezuela, who illegally entered the country April 23, 2022.”
“Moreno was placed into the Alternatives To Detention program by Border Patrol and was told to report to the Enforcement and Removal Operations office within 60 days of arriving at his destination.
“Moreno did not report as required. On March 29, 2024, Moreno was arrested in Gahanna, Ohio by officers with ERO Detroit’s Columbus office and is currently detained pending further immigration proceedings.”
Immigration
Harris Supported a ‘Overhaul’ of U.S. Immigration and Customs, Supported ‘Moratorium’ on Detention Centers
On the 2024 campaign trail, Vice President Kamala Harris is faced with her past remarks, particularly those articulated during her 2019 presidential run. Harris’s progressive stances on immigration from the 2019 primary season are drawing renewed scrutiny.
A look at her 2019 responses to a questionnaire from the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund, uncovered by National Review, shows the extent to which Harris staked out left-of-center views on immigration. In her response, Harris supported a significant “overhaul” of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and called for a “moratorium on the construction and expansion of immigration detention centers.” Criticizing former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, she described ICE’s actions as “cruel and out of control,” pledging to review and reform the agency if elected president. Harris also highlighted her introduction of the DONE Act, which proposed added oversight for ICE and a moratorium on detention center expansion.
Harris’s office did not respond to requests for comment about the resurfaced questionnaire, which featured responses from other primary candidates, including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Julián Castro, and Pete Buttigieg. Despite these progressive stances, Harris struggled to gain traction with the Democratic left, which ultimately endorsed Sanders after she exited the race, explains National Review.
Since joining the 2024 Democratic ticket, Harris has adopted a tougher tone on crime, often referencing her prosecutorial background in addressing concerns about transnational gang violence. She frequently cites her experience handling crime as a prosecutor to appeal to moderates. On the debate stage, she has emphasized her opponent’s—former President Donald Trump’s—role in derailing a bipartisan border-security agreement, pivoting criticism of her own policies toward the GOP’s reluctance to pass comprehensive reforms.
However, Harris’s past rhetoric on immigration continues to pose a challenge. In another questionnaire from 2019 for the American Civil Liberties Union, Harris voiced support for ending ICE detainers, reducing immigration detention by half, and providing taxpayer-funded gender-transition surgeries for detained illegal immigrants. This record, resurfaced by Republican spending groups, has fueled negative ad campaigns that often quote Harris’s prior statements to question her commitment to immigration enforcement. In one such ad, Harris is shown describing illegal immigrants as “not criminals” and suggesting a “start from scratch” approach on ICE.
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