Following his recordings encouraging illegal immigrants to squat in abandoned homes and take advantage of squatters’ rights laws in the US, Leonal Moreno, 27, went on the run from US authorities.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure on Wednesday that aims to swiftly remove residential “squatters” and impose sanctions on those who attempt to do so in the state, in response to the advise given by this absconder to other illegals.
Leonel Moreno is presently classified by immigration authorities as a “absconder,” per papers obtained from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This indicates that he has slipped their notice and is currently regarded as a wanted person. As part of the government’s Alternatives to Detention program, which tries to monitor migrants who are released owing to a lack of detention space, Moreno was first granted border parole in April 2022.
It is noteworthy that Moreno’s immigration sponsor was a Miami-based church charity. Despite his official documents, sources indicate that he has been living in Columbus, Ohio.
In the video tirade that catapulted Moreno to fame or notoriety, he asserted that squatters might legally take possession of a residence in the US if it is unoccupied. He went on to say that his “African friends” had already used this strategy to take over seven residences.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated during a Wednesday appearance at the Orange County State Attorney’s Office that if you are the victim of squatting, you can simply fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff, and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally.
This is in accordance with the measure (HB 621). And that will occur very soon.
Moreno would undoubtedly be included in this. Part of the measure may subject squatters who purposefully inflict at least $1,000 in damage to second-degree felonies.
Additionally, it may result in first-degree felonies being brought against those who rent or sell residential property that they do not own. On July 1, the law will become operative.
“Squatting scam ends today, DeSantis. pic.twitter.com/4gTsqEPGUO
— Tampa Free Press (@tampafreepress) March 27, 2024
Additionally, HB 621 establishes severe punishments for squatters as well as for those who promote squatting and spread the scam to others. The bill does the following:
- Making a false declaration in writing in order to obtain real estate or purposefully presenting a forged document that transfers property rights is a first-degree misdemeanor;
- Any individual who trespasses or unlawfully occupies a residential dwelling and causes $1,000 or more in damages is guilty of a second-degree felony
- Advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without the required authorization or ownership is guilty of a first-degree crime.
“The squatter scam ends today. With my signature on this piece of legislation, the State of Florida will be better off for it,” DeSantis stated.
“Florida is once again leading the nation, this time in securing our state against squatters,” Attorney General Ashley Moody stated. “Biden has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to flood across the border. After video evidence of their plan to take over homes emerged, we’re ensuring Floridians are protected from this egregious and brazen scheme. I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis for signing this important legislation into law, and to Representative Kevin Steele for carrying this bill through Session.”
Since TikTok prohibits users from promoting illegal activity, Moreno’s account, @leitooficial_25, where he had accumulated half a million followers, has been blocked.
