Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan migrant who gained notoriety on TikTok for promoting illegal squatting in U.S. homes, has been ordered to leave the country by an immigration judge. Moreno’s case, however, faces complications due to a diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Moreno, 27, entered the U.S. unlawfully through Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2022. He was later released into the country but missed several mandatory check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to his arrest in Columbus, Ohio, in March. Despite the judge’s order for deportation issued on September 9, a diplomatic standstill might prevent his removal.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, halted the acceptance of deportation flights from the U.S. and Mexico earlier this year as retaliation against renewed U.S. sanctions. These sanctions, aimed at pressuring the Maduro administration to restore democratic order, have led to a cessation of almost weekly deportation flights. Additionally, direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela have been suspended since 2019 due to reported unrest and violence.
Moreno’s social media presence has been controversial. He used his platform to encourage migrants to occupy vacant homes and flaunt government assistance, claiming that his aim was to escape exploitation. In his posts, Moreno showcased wads of cash and claimed that U.S. government aid covered expenses for his family, including medical costs related to the birth of his daughter.
While Moreno has denied connections to criminal organizations, the emergence of Venezuelan gangs like Tren de Aragua in U.S. cities has cast a shadow over his case. Despite this, Moreno insists he is a victim of unjust persecution and media misrepresentation. He has also claimed to have been a low-ranking member of the Venezuelan navy, though there were reports suggesting he might have held a higher position in Venezuelan military intelligence.
Currently, Moreno remains detained at Geauga County Jail in Ohio. He continues to argue that his situation in the U.S. mirrors the persecution he fled in Venezuela, presenting himself as a victim of misinformation and unfair treatment.
