Venezuelan “Migrant Influencer” Complains from Jail About Persecution and Misses Freedom
Leonel Moreno, the Venezuelan “migrant influencer” who made headlines for encouraging other migrants to squat and take over Americans’ homes, is now behind bars and complaining about persecution. Moreno, 27, spoke to The New York Post from inside Geauga County Jail in Ohio, where he is currently being held after failing to appear for required check-ins with officers.
Moreno, who crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2022 and received border parole as part of the Alternatives to Detention program, is now facing potential federal firearm charges. Despite his legal troubles, Moreno insists that he came to the U.S. to escape persecution in his home country and now feels unfairly targeted by the media.
In his inflammatory TikTok videos, Moreno bragged about not having to work and mocked fellow migrants who come to the U.S. to work hard manual jobs. He encouraged others to take over abandoned homes using squatters’ rights laws and even planned to profit from selling these properties.
While his TikTok account has been banned, Moreno’s Instagram account remains active, where he continues to engage with his followers. In his defense, Moreno claims that the persona he portrays on social media is just a “character” and should not be confused with his real self.
As the story of Leonel Moreno continues to unfold, it raises questions about the influence of social media on migrant behavior and the legal implications of squatting in the U.S. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
