A Venezuelan TikToker who gained notoriety for promoting illegal activities and advocating for squatting in U.S. homes is now evading immigration authorities, as reported recently.
Leonel Moreno, along with his family, has been receiving $350 weekly in government assistance since entering the U.S. illegally. He claimed to be earning $1,000 daily as a TikTok influencer, but his account, which once had over 500,000 followers, is currently inactive.
Despite his TikTok account being dormant, Moreno's verified Instagram account, with approximately 17,000 followers, posted videos of him flaunting money. He reportedly removed his ankle monitor after being granted border parole and is now considered an 'absconder' by immigration authorities.
Moreno was granted border parole in April 2022 under the Alternatives to Detention program, designed to monitor migrants when detention space is limited. He had expressed intentions to profit from 'invading' abandoned houses and exploiting squatters' rights laws.
Although Moreno listed a church charity in Miami as his immigration sponsor, he has been residing in Columbus, Ohio. Last month, he drew public outrage by boasting about living off taxpayer funds and urging support for a suspect involved in a shooting at Times Square.
Illegal immigration from Venezuela has gained attention due to the presence of the notorious gang Tren de Aragua, which is expanding its operations in the U.S. The gang has been linked to various criminal activities, including attacks on police officers, an international cellphone theft ring, and the indirect involvement in the murder of a Georgia nursing student.
Authorities have warned about the gang's significant presence in New York City, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Georgia, raising concerns about the impact of illegal activities associated with Venezuelan migrants.
