Catch-and-Release DISASTER Ends in Gunfire

A Venezuelan illegal immigrant with alleged gang ties who was shot by federal agents after attempting to run them over is now awaiting deportation, exposing the dangerous consequences of Biden-era catch-and-release policies that allowed criminals to roam American streets.

Story Snapshot

Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras illegally entered the U.S. in 2023, was released due to detention space limits, then failed to appear for required immigration check-ins
Border Patrol agent shot Zambrano-Contreras and her companion in January 2026 after they allegedly tried to weaponize their vehicle during a Portland traffic stop
DHS linked both suspects to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang and a prostitution ring, confirmed by Portland Police Chief
Despite attempting to flee from federal agents, Zambrano-Contreras pleaded guilty to illegal entry and now faces deportation after one year probation

Illegal Entry and Failed Immigration System

Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras crossed into the United States illegally from Mexico through Texas on September 16, 2023. Border authorities arrested her but immediately released her due to overcrowded detention facilities, a direct result of the Biden administration’s disastrous immigration policies that overwhelmed the system. She was ordered to check in with immigration officials but never appeared, becoming another statistic in the millions of “gotaways” who vanished into American communities. This catch-and-release disaster perfectly illustrates how failed border policies endanger citizens by allowing unvetted individuals with criminal connections to disappear.

Portland Shooting and Gang Connections

On January 8, 2026, at approximately 2:20 p.m., a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducting a traffic stop outside an Adventist Health clinic in Southeast Portland fired at a vehicle occupied by Zambrano-Contreras and driver Luis David Niño-Moncada. The Department of Homeland Security stated the agent acted in self-defense after the driver attempted to run him over with the vehicle. Both occupants sustained gunshot wounds, with Zambrano-Contreras hit in the chest and Niño-Moncada wounded in the arm. The pair then drove approximately 2.5 miles to a Northeast Portland apartment before calling 911 and receiving hospital treatment. DHS revealed both suspects had ties to Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan transnational gang involved in prostitution and other criminal enterprises.

Federal Self-Defense Versus Sanctuary City Resistance

Portland Police Chief Bob Day confirmed investigators found “some nexus” connecting the suspects to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang, supporting federal claims about the criminal nature of those encountered. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the agent’s actions as justified self-defense against individuals who weaponized their vehicle. However, Portland officials—including Mayor Keith Wilson, Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Councilor Sameer Kanal—immediately demanded ICE cease operations and called for independent state investigations. Councilor Kanal accused federal agents of trying to “justify the unjustifiable,” demonstrating how sanctuary city leaders prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over supporting law enforcement officers defending themselves against violent criminals.

Guilty Plea and Deportation Awaiting

During the week of January 13, 2026, Zambrano-Contreras appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the United States. She accepted a one-year probation sentence that includes curfew requirements and movement restrictions while awaiting likely deportation back to Venezuela. The FBI and Oregon Department of Justice continue investigating the shooting incident itself, though no additional charges have been announced. This case occurred within the context of President Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement operations targeting gang members and individuals who entered illegally, a stark contrast to the previous administration’s policies that enabled Zambrano-Contreras to enter, disappear, and allegedly engage in criminal activity for over two years before being apprehended.

Broader Immigration Enforcement Tensions

The Portland incident followed a January 7, 2026, shooting in Minneapolis where ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot U.S. citizen Renée Nicole Good during immigration enforcement operations. Local officials in Minneapolis disputed federal claims that Good’s vehicle posed a threat, with available video evidence contradicting the agent’s account. Together, these incidents sparked protests in both cities and intensified conflicts between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary jurisdictions. Portland’s history as a sanctuary city with frequent anti-ICE demonstrations amplified local resistance to Trump administration operations. The Trump administration has characterized Tren de Aragua as a domestic terrorism threat, justifying aggressive enforcement actions against suspected gang members. These confrontations expose the fundamental divide between Americans who want border security and criminal removal versus progressive officials who obstruct federal law enforcement.