A suspected member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang faces federal charges in Florida after entering the United States through a government-sanctioned asylum program.

According to Breitbart News, Luis Ernesto Veliz Riera, 23, is being charged by federal prosecutors for illegally possessing a firearm after entering the country through the CBP-One smartphone application system in El Paso, Texas in 2023.

The Venezuelan national's arrest comes after a series of events that began with his entry into the United States through a legal port of entry.

Despite being granted temporary entry and receiving a Notice to Appear for an immigration hearing in Las Vegas, Veliz Riera failed to comply with the immigration requirements, choosing instead to remain in El Paso to await his girlfriend's illegal border crossing from Mexico.

Entry through CBP-One program raises security concerns

The suspect's ability to enter the United States through an official asylum program has sparked discussions about potential security gaps. The CBP-One application, which was operational during Veliz Riera's entry, permitted up to 1,450 asylum seekers daily to enter through legal ports of entry.

The program's effectiveness in screening potential security threats has come under scrutiny following this incident.

After skipping his immigration hearing, Veliz Riera traveled across multiple U.S. cities with his girlfriend, eventually settling in Homestead, Florida. Local law enforcement's investigation into potential Tren de Aragua gang activity led to a traffic stop in October 2024, where authorities discovered his illegal status and an outstanding state warrant.

During subsequent investigations, law enforcement uncovered a Taurus PT609 Pro 9mm semi-automatic handgun with a 30-round magazine in the hotel room shared by Veliz Riera and his girlfriend. Evidence showed he had handled and loaded the weapon earlier that day.

Complex timeline of detention and release decisions

The case took several turns following the initial discovery of the weapon. Despite being placed in immigration detention in November 2024, Veliz Riera was released on electronic monitoring by the Biden administration, even with his suspected gang affiliations and firearm possession.

Homeland Security Investigations and ICE-ERO officials reevaluated this decision, leading to Veliz Riera's administrative arrest on February 3, 2025. The following month, federal prosecutors in Miami formally charged him with illegal alien firearm possession.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida confirmed that Veliz Riera will remain in Bureau of Prisons custody while awaiting trial. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in managing immigration cases involving potential security threats.

Legal consequences unfold in South Florida

The prosecution team, led by United States Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI's Miami Field Office, is handling the case.

The single count of possessing a firearm as an illegal alien carries significant legal ramifications.

Law enforcement's investigation revealed a pattern of non-compliance with immigration requirements, beginning with Veliz Riera's failure to appear at his scheduled Las Vegas hearing. This resulted in an immigration judge ordering his removal from the United States in April 2024.

The case demonstrates the complexities of managing immigration cases involving suspected gang members and the challenges faced by law enforcement in identifying and apprehending such individuals.

Current status and potential outcomes

A suspected Tren de Aragua gang member from Venezuela, Luis Ernesto Veliz Riera, faces federal charges for illegal firearm possession after entering the United States through the CBP-One asylum application program.

After failing to appear for his immigration hearing and traveling across multiple states, he was arrested in Florida, where authorities discovered his possession of a semi-automatic handgun.

The case is being prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida, where Veliz Riera remains in custody pending trial. The incident has highlighted potential security concerns in the asylum application process and raised questions about the handling of cases involving suspected gang members who enter through legal ports of entry.