In 2023, I began to notice significant changes in my apartment complex in Aurora, Colo., less than 20 miles from the sanctuary city of Denver. Local media have since reported that officials began busing illegal Venezuelan migrants into the area in December 2022 - but no one told us.
Members of Tren de Aragua - a vicious Venezuelan prison gang that has brought sex trafficking and violent crime into communities across our country - began patrolling my apartment building with guns, beating down doors and demanding keys from my neighbors.
On Aug. 18, all hell broke loose. Six masked gang members armed with semi-automatic rifles and handguns attempted to break into my neighbor's home as I sat just feet away from the door, terrified.
I got down on the ground and wasn't harmed. But minutes later, a gunfight broke out along the length of my block. More than 25 shots rang out, injuring my friend who later succumbed to his injuries.
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