Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang whose members have been linked to instances of entire apartment complexes being taken over in Colorado and Texas, poses a much graver threat to people in the United States than even the Salvadoran gang MS-13,

The Texas-Mexico border and who is crossing it was part of discussions at the Texas Senate Committee hearing on border security Thursday. Concerns were raised over the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua or TdA coming into the United States.

Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang that started in a prison in the state of Aragua and has since expanded into Central America and the United States, including Texas, New York, Colorado and Wisconsin. The group focuses on human smuggling and other criminal activity that targets migrants, such as kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking.

Abbott’s announcement comes as Donald Trump has campaigned against “migrant crime” and pushed exaggerated claims that the gang took over a town in Colorado.

Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed Tren de Aragua as a “Tier 1″ threat, calling it among the most dangerous and organized gangs operating in Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott joined 'America's Newsroom' to discuss how the Lone Star State is cracking down against Venezuelan gang violence and how designating them as foreign terror organizations unlocks more tools to combat the surge.

Abbott signed a proclamation declaring Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization and directed Texas DPS to create strike teams targeting the gang.

Texas is taking new action against a violent Venezuelan gang that has emerged as what state officials say is a "growing threat" to their citizens.