NEW: Trump thanks Venezuela for taking back deported illegal immigrants, providing own transit

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has agreed to take back all illegal immigrants who are deported out of the United States and has also committed to provide its own transportation to receive those who get deported. 

Trump posted on Truth Social, "Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua."



"Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back. We are in the process of removing record numbers of illegal aliens from all Countries, and all Countries have agreed to accept these illegal aliens back. Furthermore, record numbers of criminals are being removed from our Country, and the Border numbers are the strongest they have been since the First Term of the Trump Administration!" Trump added. 

The announcement from Trump comes on the heels of Trump appointee to the envoy of special missions, Richard Grenell, secured the freedom of six Americans being held in Venezuela.  

The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in the prisons of Venezuela, has been able gain a foothold in over a dozen states around the US, in part due to the soft-border policies from President Joe Biden’s administration.  

As he took office, Trump designated the gang as a terrorist organization as well as other criminal organizations that have infiltrated the US by crossing over the southern border. The incoming administration has promised to reverse course, secure the border, as well as deport illegal immigrants, with highest priority for deportation being those with violent or gang-related histories.