A Prominent Migrant Advocate on the Run: Leonel Moreno’s Controversial Journey to the US
In a shocking turn of events, Venezuelan national Leonel Moreno, a self-proclaimed migrant influencer, has evaded authorities and is now on the run from immigration officials in the United States. Moreno, who crossed the southern border illegally in April 2022, quickly gained notoriety for encouraging others to seek asylum and occupy homes in the country. However, his actions have landed him in hot water, leaving many questioning the effectiveness of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Upon his arrival in the US, Moreno was enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, which allows federal authorities to track migrants using ankle monitors or other technology. However, Moreno failed to comply with the program’s regulations and is now listed as an “absconder.” Internal ICE documents obtained by The Post reveal that he is currently hiding in plain sight, even posting videos on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
One video showed Moreno standing in front of a cop car from the Gahanna Police Department in Ohio. Although the police department claims to be aware of his videos, they have had no contact with him and are unaware of his location. This raises concerns about the efficacy of tracking systems and the ability of authorities to apprehend individuals who violate immigration laws.
Moreno’s release into the US on parole due to a lack of space in detention facilities has also come under scrutiny. This practice has resulted in migrants entering the country without undergoing proper vetting and interviews by authorities. John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field office director, criticizes the Biden administration’s reliance on Alternatives to Detention, which currently includes over a million people, calling it “nothing short of a failure.” He questions how many more individuals are unaccounted for after fleeing this program.
Living in Columbus, Ohio, Moreno’s listed point of contact in the US was Catholic Charities in Miami, according to ICE documents. However, he never appeared for his immigration court date after being mailed a notice in November 2022. The lack of consequences for Moreno’s actions raises concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of the government’s immigration policies.
Moreno’s rise to fame as a TikTok influencer has only added fuel to the fire. Not only does he encourage fellow Venezuelans to squat in the homes of US citizens, but he also flaunts supplies purchased using food stamps and boasts about his earnings from begging for cash. He claims to make roughly $1,000 a day and proudly states that he has lived in the US for over a year without having to work.
The controversial influencer instructs his followers on various scams, including claiming abandoned vehicles to sell for scrap and providing tips on how to return worn clothes for refunds. He even goes as far as teaching his audience how to make a leg cast with plastic and velcro to pretend they are injured and receive sympathy and money from unsuspecting individuals.
Critics argue that Moreno’s actions highlight the flaws in the Biden administration’s immigration policies. They claim that these policies, marketed as solutions, are merely a smokescreen obscuring the chaos and failures at the border. More transparency and accountability are needed to ensure the safety and integrity of the nation’s borders.
As the search for Leonel Moreno continues, his story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration and the need for comprehensive and effective immigration reforms. The debate around border security, asylum seekers, and the treatment of migrants will undoubtedly continue as the US grapples with finding a balance between compassion and maintaining law and order.
