Posted on 03/10/2006 3:21:00 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
WASHINGTON- Some 375 gang members have been arrested in 24 states and the District of Columbia over the past two weeks as part of a yearlong operation targeting gangs with criminal immigrant members, the Homeland Security Department said Friday.
The arrests bring to 2,388 the number of gang members apprehended through Operation Community Shield, which combines local law enforcement with federal immigration forces. Of those arrested, 922 were members of Mara Salvatrucha gangs, which have ties to Central America.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said that previously local law enforcement might arrest gang members and not be aware they also had immigration violations that could be used "to incapacitate violent criminals." Meanwhile, immigration officials would arrest gang members and not know they were wanted for serious criminal offenses.
"In much the way we have connected the dots against the war on terror, we are now connecting the dots against gang violence," Chertoff said.
Chertoff said none of the gang members was identified as having ties to al-Qaeda, but more than 260 of those arrested in the last two weeks have committed crimes like rape, murder and assault and brought drugs and weapons into neighborhoods. Of those arrested during the past year, 533 were charged with crimes and 1,855 with immigration violations.
Those in the country illegally will be deported after serving any sentences, officials said.
Julie Myers, assistant secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said: "With Operation Community Shield, ICE is sending a clear message to gang members that ICE intends to deal strongly and forcefully with you if you come into our country and break our laws."
When the operation began, its purpose was to target members of Mara Salvatrucha. But as the operation progressed, officials expanded it to other gangs in various communities.
In the two-week operation that began Feb. 24, law enforcement arrested 44 gang members in Dallas; 41 in San Diego; 22 in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; 22 in Miami; and 19 in Raleigh, N.C.
Gang members were arrested in these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia.
Federal officials have identified 5,000 Mara Salvatrucha gang members in a database, but the number of gang members in the country is unknown, making it difficult to determine the impact the arrests have had on its membership.
However, David Brown, a Dallas assistant police chief who attended the Washington news conference, said the 149 arrests in his city since Operation Community Shield began had contributed to a 20 percent drop in the city's murder rate.
Brown said local communities are increasingly sharing information about gang members, particularly those who are foreign-born, because many of the gang members move between cities.
ICE spokesman Dean Boyd said the cost of the operation for a year was not available because it involves different aspects of the agency's budget.
Myers said Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted by flagging for ICE those gang members who had applied for immigration benefits.
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If I wasn't laughing, I'd be crying!
It's like trying to halt the flow of the Mississippi by syphoning it off with a garden hose.
Myers is merely one of host of mindless twits who feed from our tax dollars.
Speechless....
Here's an idea for illegal immigrants.... THROW THEM ALL OUT!!! WTF are we doing?!?!?!?
These people should be immediately deported. They are not U.S. citizens, so therefore they aren't afforded any rights to due process or a trial. Kick them out, and deduct the cost from their country's foreign aid they receive from the U.S.
Don't worry. we'll all be crying next week when that bunch of traitors votes on Specter's amnesty bill. I guess it has never occurred to them that they will be giving amnesty to ALL gang members and terrorists. Isn't that reassuring? LOL We are so doomed. ;o)
We must have a major fence/barrier on the border before "throw them all out" will actually work. As it is now they come back within hours or days when they are thrown out.
I feel safer now....thanks ICE.
ping
BAD IDEA, it would grant them a virtual “get-out-of-jail-free” card by virtue of their illegal status. They would be back and on the street again in no time.
Make them do their time and then deport them. If they come back, keep them locked up until we deport them again. If they are determined to keep coming back we need to provide them a nice 6 X 10 cell for as long as it takes to protect the public.
Mara Salvatrucha Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
What are immigration benefits? If it is any kind of welfare, this strictly makes me sick. I wonder how many gang members were at the march in Chicago today. People on welfare are the only ones that can afford to march on a week day.
"Federal officials have identified 5,000 Mara Salvatrucha gang members in a database, but the number of gang members in the country is unknown, making it difficult to determine the impact the arrests have had on its membership.
However, David Brown, a Dallas assistant police chief who attended the Washington news conference, said the 149 arrests in his city since Operation Community Shield began had contributed to a 20 percent drop in the city's murder rate."
5,000! And there are more?! A 20% drop in murders in 45 days?
I have heard that most are skilled laborers: carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Of course, the women have babies and there's your welfare. It's part of the culture that they don't marry the women. And often they have more than one family.
SEAL THE BORDERS!
I watched Lou Dobbs last night. He mentioned that we had over 200 different hispanic gangs in the country now. He said that the MS13 gangwas in the thousands.
Most are in this country with only a 3rd grade education. I doubt that very many are licensed plumbers or electricians.
Isn't it strange that when Bush falls flat on his face, they try to show he has done something regarding the borders.
"I doubt that very many are licensed plumbers or electricians.
Isn't it strange that when Bush falls flat on his face, they try to show he has done something regarding the borders."
I didn't hear they were licensed, only skilled workers and that this is how they 'blend.'
I don't expect the MSM to say anything about this at all.
I'm in San Antonio, and I know they're here too. Where are you?
AMEN!!! GET THEM THE HELL OUT OF THE COUNTRY. I'M TIRED OF ALL THE DAMN LIBERALS TELLING ME THEY HAVE RIGHTS THAT CAN'T BE INFRINGED UPON, WHILE OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIRS TO ACCOMODATE THESE TERRORISTS.
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