Murphy Sanctuary State has allowed the Tren de Aragua street gang to open a store in New Jersey

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If your main concern is safety from the violent members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, New Jersey may not be the state for you.

When you think of New Jersey, you probably imagine the coast, french fries, and maybe a few Sopranos references. But lately the Garden State has been making headlines for something much more sinister: the reported presence of Tren de Araguaa notoriously violent Venezuelan gang that currently operates in at least 16 states, according to a leaked DHS memo.

Just in time for the holidays, with holiday shopping, travel and online shopping, Governor Murphy’s sanctuary state policy is complete. We were able to find Venezuelan street gang members in our house under our Christmas trees.

But Phil Murphy vows he will “fight to the death” to protect the illegal migrants he has protected since taking office.

Thanks a lot, buddy.

Let’s break this down. Tren de Aragua is no ordinary street gang. This group allegedly began in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison – a literal crime headquarters – and has since spread throughout South America before making its way to the United States. Your criminal record? Human trafficking, drug smuggling, violent extortion and even home takeovers (yes, like something out of a crime drama).

So where does New Jersey fit into this messy puzzle? The state’s sanctuary policies have made it a polarizing issue in the immigration debate. Critics argue that these policies create loopholes for dangerous people, while supporters say they protect vulnerable immigrants. However, Tren de Aragua’s presence in New Jersey has brought this issue clearly into the spotlight.

A particularly dark example: the gang’s involvement in human trafficking and violent attacks. Just last month, reports emerged that members were taking over apartment complexes in other states and violently threatening landlords and tenants. If they do something similar in New Jersey, it’s a frightening sign of what could be happening under the radar.

The Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization earlier this year, a move aimed at freezing its financial activities. But critics on both sides of the aisle — yes, even some who typically avoid excessive partisanship — argue that more proactive border policies and stronger local law enforcement partnerships are needed to stem this tide.

So what’s next for New Jersey and beyond? Gov. Murphy has long defended the state’s sanctuary policies as a way to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. However, as calls for tougher measures grow louder, particularly with a new administration looming, the debate over the balance between compassion and safety is becoming increasingly heated.