Jesus Elicio Tapia-Colina/Venezuela/Tren de Aragua

On February 5, 2025, ICE St. Louis administratively arrested Jesus Elicio Tapia-Colina, a Venezuelan national, for 8 USC 1182, Alien Inadmissibility under Section 212. Tapia-Colina is a known TdA gang member and has prior criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges for Assault-4th Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Previously Tapia-Colina was encountered by the United States Border Patrol (USBP) in El Paso, TX on or about April 3, 2024, issued a court date and released on an Order of Recognizance.

Tapia-Colina is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

In a similar case, on February 8, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Raleigh, North Carolina, apprehended Ricardo Padillia-Granadillo, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.

He was arrested in connection with a mass shooting in Chicago and is believed to have illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, on October 1, 2022. After his entry, he was paroled into the U.S. and given a notice to appear. When he failed to show up for his immigration appointment in 2024, officials issued an arrest warrant.

ICE detained 10 other Venezuelans suspected of being in the country illegally during the raid in Raleigh. Agents also found a handgun and ammunition.