( NewsNation ) — Amid the United States government’s efforts to manage the migrant influx, a man dubbed the “migrant influencer” is coaching immigrants on how to live in the country by taking advantage of laws protecting squatters.
Described as Leonel Moreno, the Colombian regional moved to the U. S. past September and life in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, with his partner and child girl, the New York Post reported.
Now, the immigrant who goes by @leitooficial_25 online has over half a million TikTok fans, with his likes and memes garnering thousands more connections.
In his most recent questionable videos, which has garnered almost four million opinions, Moreno advised supporters to avoid being poor in the U. S. by invading “empty houses and live it”. He claims that under U. S. law, an abandoned house may be seized, referring to squatting right.
” As we have more workers moving into towns, more poverty, we are going to notice more squatting”, said James Burling, a residence rights lawyer. ” They’re talking about all the benefits that you can get from squatting, it’s obvious that it’s going to improve”.
In earlier films, Moreno bragged approximately first coming to the U. S. for trip but says he now lives off of U. S. citizens due to having a baby in the country. He refers to his child as a “goldmine” and the family’s breadwinner, also revealing he awaits Americans ‘ pension checks every month.
In another video, he urges fellow , Venezuelans , to pay the fines of a 15- year- old migrant accused of shooting a tourist in New York City’s Times Square earlier this year, warning,” Today it could be him, tomorrow it could be one of you”.
A recent video on squatting by Moreno is gaining attention, as he tells his” comrades” that they can fix up abandoned homes that have deteriorated or are in bad condition and receive credits when the properties are sold.
However, Burling refutes this claim, stating it’s misinformation being spread on social media.
” I think publicity like what we’re seeing in TikTok and viral videos of that nature are going to magnify the idea that squatting is an alternative to not having enough housing”, he said.
NewsNation submitted a request to the Columbus Police Department for any records on Moreno but has not received a response. Additionally, NewsNation spoke with city leaders who reported they had n’t heard of Moreno or seen a local uptick in squatting.
