Denver suburb experiences a surge in migrant gang violence: "Biden-Harris administration is responsible"

The quiet Denver suburb is facing backlash from its residents due to the sanctuary city and border policies, which have resulted in an increase in migrant gang violence.

John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field office director and Colorado GOP congressional candidate, stated on "Fox & Friends First," Tuesday that there is a significant rise in violence in Aurora due to the influx of newly arrived foreign-born migrants, many of whom are from Venezuela, in the area.

Since 2022, Denver has received over 42,000 migrants, resulting in a cost of more than $72 million to the sanctuary city, according to city data.

The notorious Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua has reportedly made Aurora, located east of the Mile High City, its base of operations. The gang has seized local apartment complexes and is responsible for a wave of violent crime in the area.

According to the New York Post, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirino, also known as "Galleta," is accused of coordinating the gang's violent actions, including the beating of a man and the shootout at two different properties.

Despite the City Council passing a resolution in February stating it will not provide support to migrants brought into the community, Fabbricatore fears the violence will only get worse and accused Aurora of being "complicit" in the crime.

"The sanctuary policy is being allowed to enter certain areas, but leaders are not pushing back against it as a state policy in Colorado. However, Aurora City Council has pushed back on it, while other leaders are trying to ignore it and keep the public uninformed about what's happening."

"Unfortunately, many of them cannot even claim asylum, and there is a mix of a criminal element that includes groups like the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua."

The Biden-Harris administration's border policies have been criticized by Fabbricatore, who urged communities like Aurora to take action against them.

"The Biden-Harris administration is responsible for the chaos at our borders, as they have allowed a criminal element to enter," he stated. "As taxpayers, we must hold them accountable and demand transparency. Our communities deserve safety and a secure border."

The Treasury recently designated Tren de Aragua a significant transnational criminal organization and offered financial rewards for the conviction of three of its leaders. It was recently revealed that the brother of the suspect in the killing of Georgia student Laken Riley had ties to the gang, both of whom are Venezuelan illegal immigrants.

In 2023, Pacheco-Chirino, who had crossed into the U.S. from Texas in 2022 and was vetted and released, told officials he was headed to New York but ended up at an ICE office in Colorado. He was given a court date and released.

In March 2024, Pacheco-Chirino was arrested on several felony assault charges but failed to appear in court. Later in July, he was arrested again and is currently being held in ICE custody.

Planet Chronicle' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.