Leonel Moreno, the self-proclaimed “migrant influencer” who gained notoriety on TikTok for flaunting U.S. government cash and urging fellow illegal immigrants to squat in abandoned American homes, has finally been deported back to Venezuela. Moreno crossed the Texas border illegally in April 2022 and was arrested in Ohio after skipping ICE check-ins. His deportation had been delayed for months until Venezuela recently resumed flights under President Trump’s renewed deportation campaign.
Moreno caused a stir on the flight back to Venezuela, reportedly upsetting fellow passengers and requiring isolation and extra security to keep things calm. Upon landing, he gave a smug thumbs-up to the cameras as he was escorted off the plane. Despite Venezuela’s government saying he was “welcome” back, his return was anything but quiet.
In the U.S., Moreno sparked outrage for videos where he boasted about not working, flashed wads of $100 bills, and bragged that “Papa Biden” covered his daughter’s birth. He even used his U.S.-born child to boost his social media presence. Authorities also looked into his possible ties to Venezuela’s military intelligence and viral content showing him trying out firearms at a U.S. gun store.
While in ICE custody, Moreno played the victim card, claiming persecution both in Venezuela and America. “They’re misrepresenting me in the media,” he said, insisting he was a humble, respectful father and husband. His deportation marks the end of a viral saga that left many Americans furious and questioning the loopholes in the immigration system.