Quincy Reporter

Mecki Kosin, a prominent Quincy-based travel consultant and vocal advocate for stricter immigration controls, said that rising crime rates among non-citizens can be blamed on sanctuary city and state policies, where reports of illegal alien gang violence are also proliferating. 

“Sanctuary states and cities are great evils,” Kosin told Quincy Reporter. “We see the non-citizen crime rate going up exponentially! And on top of that, there’s this stupid law preventing us from holding them in prison. One of our presidential candidates is even saying they’ve done nothing wrong! They are here illegally, which is a federal crime. Nothing wrong?”

Kosin zeroed in on Illinois politicians and the effects their policies have on citizens. 

“The do-good politicians here, starting with the governor, want them to come so they can gain votes and maintain their power!” Kosin said. “Many in Illinois's hinterland are waking up and will not tolerate this anymore. I’m glad my family and I know how to protect ourselves and have the resources to do so!”

Kosin’s comments follow a series of 911 calls in Chicago that reported illegal alien gang members, purported to be linked to Tren de Aragua, had taken over an apartment building in the city. 

In response, a TikTok user who claimed knowledge of and involvement in native Chicagoan street gangs, threatened violence. 

“This aint Colorado. This is just like where you’re from. The only difference is… we got switches,” the man said. 

A “switch” is a device that turns a semi-automatic gun into an automatic weapon. 

The TikTok user was referring to a series of incidents that are still unfolding in Aurora, Colo., where video has been released showing gang members carrying long rifles around an apartment complex in what appears to be a takeover of the property. 

NBC Chicago reported on the local allegations, noting Chicago police responded to viral social media posts about a 911 call alleging that an armed Venezuelan gang had taken over a building on South King Drive. NBC also noted the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang has been confirmed in Illinois. 

Authorities are dismissing the takeover claims, as is the case in Colorado, categorizing the incident as a "miscellaneous" noise disturbance with no further police action required. 

Notably, a known Tren de Aragua member, was recently arrested for a jewelry heist in Colorado after having been arrested and released in Chicago. Jean Torres-Roman, a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, was released by a Chicago judge despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement's request to detain him, just a month before his involvement in a violent jewelry store heist in Denver. 

Torres-Roman, who was arrested in Chicago for illegal possession of a weapon, was later caught in New Mexico after fleeing from Denver. The incident highlights concerns about sanctuary city policies and their impact on law enforcement efforts against criminal gangs. 

Kosin, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1972, expressed her frustration with the term "illegal immigrants," arguing it misrepresents the situation. "I am really mad that everyone calls them illegal immigrants," Kosin said passionately. "They simply are NOT! I am an immigrant! I came to the U.S. with my then-soldier husband and had to endure a grueling process at the U.S. Embassy in my home country. It took more than three months after my visitor’s visa was canceled, and I was given just five days to leave." 

"When I arrived here, I had a green card and was classified as a resident alien or legal alien. The situation today is vastly different. These newcomers are not interested in integrating into our society; they are looking for free housing, free health care, free food, free education... you name it. They are illegal aliens and need to be deported immediately!”

Kosin’s frustration was palpable as she reflected on her commitment to the nation. 

“I used to believe in the oath I swore when I became a U.S. citizen—the same oath soldiers swear—to defend this country with my last drop of blood,” she said. “Now, I really don’t know if I would still want to do that.”

Kosin is a dedicated travel consultant and the sole Certified Travel Counselor in the area, specializing in organizing numerous tours throughout Europe and the United States. She chairs Quincy’s Sister City program and educates others about German culture.