Screenshot, TikTok @leitooficial / ICE, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan TikTok influencer known for advising illegal migrants on how to squat in U.S. homes, was reportedly arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Friday.

The arrest took place in Columbus, Ohio, as reported by Fox News' Bill Melugin, citing an unnamed ICE official.

Moreno had gained notoriety for his videos encouraging illegal migrants to take advantage of squatter's rights in the United States, characterized by a loud and belligerent tone.

Moreno had illegally crossed into the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, in April 2022 and was initially placed in the Alternatives for Detention program. However, he was later classified as an “absconder” after failing to comply with the program's requirements, which included being monitored through methods such as ankle bracelets. His TikTok account, where he shared advice on squatting and other content, was removed on March 21.

Under the alias @leitooficial, Moreno boasted about earning significant amounts of money and expressed a desire to “mark” his territory in the United States.

“I didn’t cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave,” Moreno told his followers. “I came to the U.S. to mark my territory,” he stated, showcasing a stack of $100 bills in one video. ICE is expected to release a statement regarding Moreno's arrest.