Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan “immigrant influencer” known for coaching fellow immigrants on how to take advantage of American “squatter rights,” now sits in prison and calls for “persecution.” ing.
Moreno had more than 500,000 followers on TikTok before her account was deleted. heading Last month, he directed other undocumented immigrants to “seize” homes that appeared to be unoccupied, Breitbart News reported.
“I learned that there is a law that says unoccupied houses can be confiscated,” Moreno said in Spanish in a video that had been viewed nearly 800,000 times before it was removed.
The influencer said the rules allow for “land invasions,” referring to highly controversial “squatter rights” laws that exist in various forms across the United States.
“My next job is to break into vacant houses,” he said.
Other videos on his social media promoted illegal immigration, relying on government handouts and begging on the streets.
“I didn’t cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave,” Moreno said on Instagram, waving a wad of $100 bills. video saw by new york post.
He went on to claim that he had enough money to support himself, his wife Veronica Torres, and their newborn daughter.
Venezuelans also spoke out. support for Jesus Alejandro Rivas-FigueroaA 15-year-old immigrant is accused of fatally shooting a woman in New York’s Times Square in February.
“Please find it. [his] with my mother [for] we all unite to pay the fine [so] Young Venezuelans feel they are not alone in difficult times,” Moreno told her TikTok followers. “Remember, there is a God out there who sees everything.” [down here]”
Moreno’s social media fame may have actually helped authorities locate him after he went missing after illegally entering the U.S.
“ICE had lost track of Moreno until a video of him telling immigrants how to live out of state started going viral. They now believe he may be living in Columbus, Ohio. It’s on the list.” daily mail report When he was arrested last month.
Venezuelan TikToker Leonel Moreno grimaces in his mugshot after being arrested by ICE for illegally entering the United States and teaching others how to do so on social media. https://t.co/vOHESb1kOO pic.twitter.com/n3CcSWUOTr
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 28, 2024
ICE officials told the outlet that the 27-year-old immigrant had been on the run since crossing the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, in 2022.
Shortly before his arrest, Moreno posted a video of himself crying, claiming he was being persecuted and threatened after his social media accounts were suspended.
In one video, which she filmed while holding her baby, she said she needed protection and claimed authorities were “following” her.
NEW: A Venezuelan illegal alien who encouraged other illegal aliens to illegally occupy his home in the United States is wanted by immigration authorities.
Leonel Moreno recently faced a snot-inducing uproar after his TikTok account was suspended.
It was later revealed that Moreno was suspended from TikTok for… pic.twitter.com/yGVzub40ty
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 27, 2024
recently interview with new york post After Moreno was released from prison, he doubled down on his accusations of “persecution.”
“I came to the United States because of persecution in my home country…but they’re doing the same thing to me in the United States. They’re persecuting me,” he said in Spanish from inside the Geauga County Jail in Chardon, Ohio. He spoke at
“Everything in the media about me is misinformation. They’re slandering me. They’re misrepresenting me in the news…I’m a good father, a good husband, a good son. “I’m a good person, I’m humble and I respect the people who respect me,” he continued, before tearing up. I miss the freedom! ”
He also expressed fear that “they’re going to kill me.”
He doesn’t seem to clarify who “they” are.
“They are coming for my life – anyone!” the imprisoned immigrant claimed.
Mr. Moreno also tried to make money from the interview. post Rejected.
The paper also noted that, according to ICE, Moreno was initially “admitted to the country under a parole program approved by the Biden administration, but subsequently failed to appear for required check-ins with immigration officials.” did.
Moreno could face federal firearms charges for multiple posts. video He showed his 18,000 Instagram followers a video of him handling weapons at a gun store.
He claims his First Amendment rights are violated because social media is his “job.”
“If Leonel Moreno committed a crime or something, they would be right, but it’s my job’s fault and this is unfair…Social media is my job,” he said. . post.
“Right now, even if I want to say something, I can’t say it…We have become a repressive country instead of a free country where people can express whatever is in their hearts…America is not here to oppress. That’s how it was made.”
He continued to insist that he was only playing a “character” in the controversial video.
“The person who appears in my videos, my character, is not the same person as Leonel Moreno. I am a different person. You cannot confuse one or the other. You cannot confuse my character with real life.” said Moreno during a televised visit.
“I have a sarcastic, black humor. That’s my job…Leonel Moreno is the opposite,” he continued.
He declined to say whether he agreed with the comments he shared online.
