As new protests arise and Democrats express anger over a recent shooting involving an immigration officer in Portland, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing details about the alleged gang affiliations of the two individuals involved.
On Friday, DHS revealed that Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras were shot and killed by agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection after they reportedly tried to run over the agents with their vehicle. The incident took place around 2:19 p.m. local time when the Border Patrol agents attempted to stop the car and identified themselves as law enforcement officials.
DHS stated, “Yesterday, two suspected Torren de Aragua gang associates, who had been put on the streets of America by Joe Biden, used deadly force in a vehicle against Border Patrol agents in Portland.” The agency noted that the officers acted promptly to protect themselves and others in the situation.
The two men fled after the shooting but were later found by police in Portland. The police provided medical assistance and transported them to a hospital.
Moncada, who was driving the vehicle, is reported to have entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was subsequently released by the Biden administration. DHS indicated he had prior arrests for drunk driving and unauthorized vehicle use, and he is under final orders for dismissal.
Passenger Zambrano-Contreras also illegally entered the U.S. in the El Paso region in 2023 and was released by the Biden administration. DHS alleged that Zambrano-Contreras was involved in a prostitution ring associated with Torren de Aragua and was previously linked to an incident in Portland involving gunfire.
In response to claims that the two were a married couple, DHS called it a “terrible lie,” emphasizing that the individuals involved were not innocent civilians but gang members instead.
Following the shooting on Thursday, prominent Democrats quickly pointed fingers at federal law enforcement. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson urged ICE to “suspend all operations” in the city until a thorough investigation can be conducted.
Wilson stated, “We know what the federal government alleges happened here,” emphasizing that trust in federal claims has diminished over time. He insisted that federal officers and DHS leadership must be held accountable for any violence against American citizens.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek attributed the shooting to “reckless policies” from the Trump administration and stated, “When a president supports the tearing apart of families and seeks to govern through fear and hatred rather than shared values, he fosters an environment of lawlessness.” She highlighted the call for transparency and accountability following the incident.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) echoed similar sentiments, linking the Trump administration to the violence seen in such incidents.
This event recalls the recent shooting of anti-ICE protester Renee Nicole Good, who was killed under comparable circumstances in Minneapolis. The Trump administration asserted that Good had fired in self-defense while trying to run over an ICE officer during an immigration operation.
The fallout from both shootings has triggered significant anti-ICE demonstrations nationwide, drawing strong condemnation from various Democratic leaders.
