Two of America’s most infuriating crises — illegal immigration and squatting — manifested themselves in a viral TikTok video. Illegal Venezuelan immigrant Leonel Moreno recorded a video that exhorted other migrants to invade the United States and occupy empty homes via squatting.
Read "Migrant influencer Leonel Moreno mocks US taxpayers who ‘work like slaves’ in latest videos' on SmartNews: he and most of the other illegals are living off of us like parasites https://t.co/iVgYqLPLGN
— Fire Girl (@BurningLady70) March 28, 2024
Moreno was in a program for illegal immigrants called Alternatives to Detention (ATD) in which he wore an ankle monitor. However, he failed to report to the authorities per the program requirements. He is currently wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He said on the video that acquaintances from Africa have taken over seven homes via squatting, and advises others to do the same, claiming he knows the legal “cheat codes.”
His 500K-follower TikTok account was suspended, but he has since switched to Instagram, where he has amassed 17.5 K followers.
A recent post showed him fanning stacks of $100 bills obtained by begging for cash. He claims this practice nets him $1000 per day. Other posts depict him holding a Social Security card and showing items purchased with food stamps.
On yet another Instagram post, Moreno said while holding a stack of money: “Work is for slaves, boys. Remember that work is for slaves. Where have you seen a millionaire work?”
He also refers to President Biden as “mi papa.” Many see this as encapsulating the grand Democrat strategy behind the planned immigration crisis. Voters are imported in mass numbers who will vote blue their whole lives — lest they lose their copious handouts.
Squatting is a practice in which a home is occupied by people who neither own the property nor have a lease on it. It is basically an invasion of an unoccupied residence. Common sense would dictate that the perpetrators can be removed in short order by law enforcement. When a car is stolen, an owner can regain possession simply by showing a valid title, so a home should be no different.
However, reality in blue states such as New York is quite different. Laws are heavily biased against landlords, and squatters need only claim they have a lease — and police can do nothing to forcibly remove them. Officers cannot demand to see the lease because they are not authorized to determine its validity.
In the Empire State, squatters can remain in a property indefinitely after just 30 days. Owners must use the courts to evict squatters, a process that can take months or even years.
In a recent video, investigative journalist John Stossel highlighted a man with a unique strategy to combat squatters. The victimized owner can become the new squatter to reacquire their home.
