Oregon Arrest of Alleged Venezuelan Gang Member Prompts Federal Detainer and Deportation Action

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an arrest *detainer for an illegal Venezuelan immigrant and member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang who was recently arrested in Oregon.

He was Arrested for a Weapons Racketeering Conspiracy

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged the request with the U.S. Marshals Service for Jesus Ruben Lopez Gonzalez, who was arrested earlier this month on February 17, for a weapons racketeering conspiracy.

Gonzalez has an extensive criminal history in Oregon, New York, and Washington, on charges relating to assault, theft, illegal possession of a firearm, and obstructing law enforcement.

The Venezuelan last entered the U.S. illegally on September 11, 2022.

DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis states in a news release that Gonzalez will face justice for crimes including sex trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm, assault, and obstruction of law enforcement.

“He will be removed and never be able to return to our country,” states Bis.

DHS Arrested More Than 7,000 Gang Members Since Trump Became President

DHS has arrested more than 7,000 gang members in the first year of the Trump administration.

*An arrest detainer, specifically an ICE immigration detainer, is a formal request from federal immigration authorities to local law enforcement to hold a non-citizen in jail for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release date.

A detainer signifies that ICE has probable cause to believe the person is removable and intends to assume custody for deportation.