Leonel Moreno, an illegal immigrant known on social media as a “migrant influencer,” recently took to Instagram to mock American taxpayers following an apparent ban from TikTok. In a series of videos, Moreno flaunted a stack of cash, boasting about not having to work and criticizing fellow migrants who come to the U.S. for labor-intensive jobs. He claimed to have enough money to go a year and a half without working and made disparaging remarks about those who work for a living, saying he will always make more money with less effort compared to others.
Moreno’s TikTok account, which had over 500,000 followers, was apparently removed, but he remained unfazed, stating that he will continue to make money through Facebook, Instagram, and government handouts. In previous videos, Moreno mentioned that his family received $350 a week in government assistance since entering the U.S. illegally and has earned up to $1,000 a week through the video platform. Despite his apparent ban from TikTok, Moreno expressed confidence in his ability to regain access and continue making money through social media platforms.
In one video, Moreno sang about his aspirations of making it to the White House, showcasing his grand ambitions and disregard for societal norms. While some viewers criticized him, others questioned the whereabouts of his wife, speculating on whether she was working while he posted videos and cared for their child. Moreno’s inflammatory remarks and controversial actions, such as cutting off his ankle monitor after receiving border parole, have led to him being labeled an “absconder” from immigration authorities, according to ICE documents cited by the New York Post.
Moreno reportedly received border parole in April 2022 as part of the Alternatives to Detention program, designed to monitor and release migrants when detention space is limited. He has openly discussed his plans to profit from invading abandoned homes and leveraging squatters’ rights laws to take over properties, raising ethical concerns and legal questions about his activities. Despite criticism and condemnation from some viewers, Moreno continues to promote his controversial views and actions on social media platforms, highlighting the complexities and challenges of dealing with issues related to illegal immigration and squatter laws in the U.S.
