SAPD, along with “multiple state and federal agencies,” arrested several people in a northside apartment complex last weekend on suspicions of human trafficking, among other offenses. Four of those were members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). This came right on the heels of the president of the SA Professional Firefighters Association cautioning firefighters to stay vigilant in the area. This is a cautionary tale for San Antonians.

Since the late Hugo Chavez took over in Venezuela, and was succeeded by current president Nicolas Maduro, their admittedly socialist policies have led what was once one of the wealthier countries in South America, into an economic black hole. Such programs lead to predictable outcomes: shortages, bare shelves, inflation, etc. When citizens start to feel the full effect, they might try to change things at the ballot box. When that doesn’t work, they flee. Apparently, members of TdA have ridden that wave all the way across our borders.

Though this damaging type of governance may be called “progressive” in local jurisdictions, the results would be the same. As it turns out, some of it has arguably attracted this trouble. As much as the mainstream media may claim that our Migrant Resource Center is not a draw for immigrants, it provides a more enticing alternative than “languishing on the streets.” It isn’t the sole reason they come; perhaps not even the biggest reason. But it does make their arrival more likely. By and large, immigrants have always helped make this country great and prosperous, but that shouldn’t deprive us of a basic sense of logic here.