Two illegal immigrants linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were shot after allegedly trying to run over U.S. Border Patrol agents in Portland on Thursday, according to federal authorities.
While Democratic leaders in Oregon’s sanctuary state have condemned the shooting and even called it “reckless,” the Trump administration has shared the rap sheets of the injured illegal immigrants that tell a different story.
The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that the two individuals are “suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates” who were “let loose on American streets by Joe Biden” and ultimately “weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland.”
The pair of illegal immigrants allegedly refused to exit their vehicle as Border Patrol agents were attempting to arrest Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, then tried to run the feds over, according to DHS.
DHS defended the agent who shot the two illegal immigrants, saying he “took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them.”
The vehicle’s driver, who is accused of trying to plow down the agents, was identified as suspected Tren de Aragua gangbanger Luis David Nico Moncada, who was released into the United States after crossing the border illegally in 2022, according to DHS.
Yesterday, two suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland. The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them.
The driver of the vehicle, Luis David Nico… pic.twitter.com/E7qHKKfp6b
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 9, 2026
Since he entered the United States, Moncada racked up arrests for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle, along with a deportation order from an immigration judge, DHS said.
The passenger, Zambrano-Contreras, was tagged by DHS as an “associate” of Tren de Aragua, who crossed the border illegally in 2023 before she was released into the country.
Since then, she’s “played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland,” DHS said.
Tren de Aragua’s prostitution rings are widespread across the country and have become a cash cow for the gang.
Thursday’s shooting comes just one day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, 37, in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration said the ICE officer fired “defensive shots” against Good, who they said was obstructing agents and committing acts of “domestic terrorism.”
Democratic leaders in Minnesota, however, have defended Good’s actions and accused the ICE officer of murder.
.png)
.png)
