Florida officials are now warning against a possible increase in squatting incidents after a so-called "migrant influencer" posted a video encouraging others to invade unoccupied homes.
The video is from Leonel Moreno, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant who has become a "migrant influencer" on TikTok. In one video, Moreno encouraged "fellow Venezuelans" to squat in unoccupied homes across the US.
"If a house is not inhibited, we can seize it," Moreno said in the now-deleted TikTok clip, per the New York Post.
After the video was posted, the Martin County Sheriff's Office near Palm Beach, Florida, issued a warning about the possible increases in activity from squatters.
"A recent viral instructional video created by an illegal Venezuelan immigrant advising others how to break into unoccupied homes in the United States, solely to gain legal rights and take up occupancy, is sparking fear among Florida residents who leave their homes for seasonal purposes, extended trips, or because their home is for sale or for rent and sits temporarily unoccupied," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook.
"We do anticipate that this viral instructional video will prompt attempts by squatters to try this here. Please make your residents aware of this squatter trend and advise them to remain alert. Homeowners must work together to make sure that no one is victimized by this, or any other crime," they added.
Who Is Leonel Moreno?
Moreno is a Venezuelan national who illegally crossed the southern border in April 2022. He was later enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, which is an initiative that allows federal authorities to track migrants via ankle monitors.
Moreno was later released into the country on parole due to a lack of space in the detention facilities. He was reported to be living in Columbus, Ohio. His listed point of contact, however, was Catholic Charities in Miami.
Moreno was set to attend immigration court in November 2022 but failed to appear in person. He is now listed as an "absconder" from the program, The Post reported, citing internal documents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Moreno's TikTok profile appears to have been deleted after receiving backlash from the squatting video. However, he still maintains an Instagram account.
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