‘Migrant influencer’ who encouraged squatting cries from jail

Talk about a reversal of fortunes. Leonel Moreno, the self-proclaimed Venezuelan “migrant influencer” who once scornfully taunted America and urged border crossers to exploit abandoned houses, is now singing a different tune from the confines of Geauga County Jail in Ohio. The man who once reveled in mocking the Land of the Free is now crying foul, lamenting, “I miss my freedom!”

In a cringe-worthy display of self-pity, Moreno bemoaned his plight during a 30-minute video televisit, claiming he’s a victim of persecution akin to what he fled in his native Venezuela. But it’s hard to muster sympathy for someone who gleefully flouted the laws of the land and now finds himself on the receiving end of the consequences.

Moreno’s newfound woes stem from his social media stunts, which caught the attention of Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Arrested for failing to comply with required check-ins, he now faces the very real prospect of being booted from the country he once derided.

Yet, in a brazen display of audacity, Moreno has the temerity to vow to use the very same First Amendment rights he disparaged to fight any charges against him. It’s the epitome of hypocrisy, emblematic of someone who’s quick to dish it out but cries foul when the tables are turned.

Let’s not forget Moreno’s outrageous antics on social media, where he encouraged migrants to exploit America’s generosity, claiming they could live off the largesse of the government without lifting a finger. Now, with his once-thriving TikTok account shuttered and his Instagram fame waning, Moreno finds himself reaping what he sowed.

But perhaps the most galling aspect of Moreno’s saga is his attempt to distance himself from the reprehensible character he portrayed online. Claiming it was all just a “fictional character,” Moreno tries to absolve himself of responsibility for the toxic messages he peddled. Sorry, but that dog won’t hunt.

In the end, Moreno’s tale serves as a cautionary reminder that actions have consequences. It’s a lesson he’s learning the hard way behind bars, far removed from the spotlight he once craved. So, cry us a Rio Grande river, Moreno. You made your bed, now lie in it.