No, Venezuelan gangs did not take over an apartment building in Aurora;
Dangerous rhetoric inspires white supremacists to threaten families
Aurora, CO — In a dangerous attempt to gain votes during an election year, politicians and media outlets have falsely accused Venezuelan immigrants of taking over an apartment complex in Aurora. This disinformation not only shifts the blame from the real issue—years of neglect and disinvestment by landlords and the city—but also fuels white supremacist attacks against immigrant families. These baseless accusations follow a historical pattern of scapegoating immigrants to distract from systemic failures.
Last night’s presidential debate further inflamed these harmful lies, with candidates promoting new, baseless rumors designed to incite fear. These are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated strategy to demonize our immigrant neighbors, undermining the very values of our nation. While Aurora was mentioned during the debate – we also heard false rumors spreading about Chicago and Ohio, false claims about immigrants were directly refuted by city officials, yet they continue to circulate, stoking fear and division.
The real issue is the City of Aurora’s failure to hold landlords accountable to provide safe, dignified housing. For years, residents have raised concerns about unsafe living conditions due to neglect, long before Venezuelan families arrived. Now, instead of helping the residents, they have been displaced from their homes and face threats fueled by these false claims. In reality, the community’s long time struggles are a result of systemic poverty and disinvestment that plague Black and Brown neighborhoods across Colorado and the U.S. This is not new. Throughout history, immigrants—whether Irish, Italian, Mexican, or now Venezuelan—have been unjustly blamed for broader societal issues.
The Facts:
- False Claims of Gang Activity Debunked – Both local law enforcement and residents of the complex have confirmed that there is no Venezuelan gang takeover. These rumors are part of a political strategy aimed at inciting fear and division. Similar claims have been debunked in Ohio and Chicago.
- Neglect by Property Owners Is the Real Issue – The apartment complex, owned by an out-of-state conglomerate, has long been in a state of severe disrepair, with tenants facing mold, rats, and unsafe conditions. Blaming immigrants is an attempt to deflect responsibility and avoid accountability.
- Rhetoric That Endangers Lives – These lies are not only harmful but dangerous. Since the false claims surfaced, white supremacist groups have begun targeting immigrant families in Aurora, leading to threats and increased fear in the community. Politicians must stop using divisive, racist scapegoating tactics that put lives at risk.
“Immigrants are not the threat. The real danger is the hateful rhetoric and proposals that target our neighbors for political gain,” said Gladis Ibarra, Co-Executive Director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “We’ve seen mass deportation proposals, and locally, politicians are pushing to remove protections that prevent ICE from working with local police to deport community members. These are policies we know only bring harm. They want to push our communities back into the shadows, but we want to make it clear: this is our home, we are part of these communities, and we are here to stay. We will not be divided by fear.”
The residents of Aurora deserve better. Instead of targeting Venezuelan immigrants, the focus should be on holding landlords accountable and investing in affordable housing, good jobs, and strong communities. Immigrants, including Venezuelans, are an essential part of Colorado’s communities, working hard to support their families and contribute to the local economy. Dividing us with harmful lies only distracts from the real issues and makes everyone less safe.