The Department of Homeland Security is firing back with more details – and mugshots – after liberal media outlets tried to push the narrative Thursday evening that the Border Patrol was shooting innocent people in Portland.
“Federal agents shoot 2 people in Portland!” one headline blared. The Guardian wrote, “US border patrol agents shoot two people in Portland.”
ABC titled their report, “Man, woman shot by federal agents in Portland.”
However, a more truthful headline by the New York Post reads, “Illegal criminals released into US by Biden admin ID’d as Portland Tren de Aragua gangbangers shot while trying to mow down feds.”
Friday morning, DHS posted the following update:
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 Moncada is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. He illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration. Since then, he was arrested for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He has a final order of removal.
The passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and is associated with Tren de Aragua. She illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, and was RELEASED into this country by the Biden administration. Since illegally entering, Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland.
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
CNN aired a report touting that Border Patrol agents shot a “married couple” and sneered that Border Patrol are “accusing” the “married couple” of being associated with the Tren de Aragua gang. CNN emphasized that city officials are demanding that ICE and other federal agents leave the city. The CNN host also pushed the narrative that the Border Patrol agents were not injured, but both suspects were shot.
DHS blasted the report in a scorching rebuke:
REVOLTING LIES!
The two criminal illegal aliens who attacked Border Patrol in Portland are a gang member and his prostitute NOT an innocent “married couple.”
The driver of the vehicle, Luis David Nico Moncada is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and suspected Tren de Aragua GANG MEMBER. He illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration. Since then, he was arrested for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He has a final order of removal.
The passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and is associated with Tren de Aragua. She illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, and was RELEASED into this country by the Biden administration. Since illegally entering, Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland.
REVOLTING LIES!
The two criminal illegal aliens who attacked Border Patrol in Portland are a gang member and his prostitute NOT an innocent “married couple.”
The driver of the vehicle, Luis David Nico Moncada is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and suspected Tren de… pic.twitter.com/XfwfBtoU75
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 9, 2026
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin had posted the following statement Thursday night after the news first broke:
Here are the facts:
At 2:19 PST, US Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland, Oregon. The passenger of the vehicle and target is a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a recent shooting in Portland. The vehicle driver is believed to be a member of the vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.
Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.
This situation is evolving and more information is forthcoming.
Here are the facts:
At 2:19 PST, US Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland, Oregon. The passenger of the vehicle and target is a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a… https://t.co/Tr0qUQCtkm
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) January 9, 2026
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin also shared the mugshots and wrote, “DHS releases photos and backgrounds of the two Venezuelan illegal aliens shot by Border Patrol in Portland yesterday. Both were caught and released at the border by the Biden admin. Male is suspected TdA gang member w/ prior DUI arrest and a deportation order. Female is allegedly involved in a TdA prostitution ring and had involvement in prior shooting in Portland.”
DHS releases photos and backgrounds of the two Venezuelan illegal aliens shot by Border Patrol in Portland yesterday. Both were caught and released at the border by the Biden admin. Male is suspected TdA gang member w/ prior DUI arrest and a deportation order. Female is allegedly… https://t.co/4wXnwy54g6
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 9, 2026
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