Thread: 17 arrested in ICE-led operation targeting gang members

I.C.E. News Release

April 20, 2009

17 arrested in ICE-led operation targeting gang members for deportation

CHICAGO - Local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in close partnership with law enforcement officers from other local agencies, made 17 arrests and lodged two detainers in a two-day operation targeting illegal aliens with ties to violent street gangs in Chicago's northern and northwest suburbs this week. This is the latest joint local action of an ongoing national ICE effort to target foreign-born gang members.

These arrests were made under an ongoing national ICE initiative called "Operation Community Shield," in which ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational street gangs. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies are essential to the success of the initiative, and they help further ensure officer safety during the operations.

The multi-agency operation, which began Tuesday morning and ended Wednesday night, targeted foreign-born gang members and associates in the northern and northwest suburbs. All those arrested are Mexican men. All 17 arrested are illegal aliens. In addition, ICE arrested two U.S. permanent residents whose previous criminal convictions make them eligible for deportation. They were all placed into administrative removal proceedings. During the operation ICE agents also seized small amounts of heroin and marijuana that were turned over to local authorities.

All except one are members or associates of the following gangs: Boulevard Latin Kings, Latin Counts, Latin Kings, and the Sureños-13. The one individual arrested without a gang affiliation was encountered during a consent search as ICE was looking for a specific gang target. During the search ICE agents encountered narcotics and turned the individual over to local authorities to face state charges for possession and distribution of heroin. He is in the U.S. illegally and will be deported after the criminal drug charges are resolved.

Eighteen men had criminal histories; some of their convictions and arrests include: aggravated battery, drunken driving, domestic battery, unlawfully possessing illegal drugs and firearms, theft, burglary and mob action.

"Street gangs pose a growing public safety threat to communities throughout this area," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. "We will not tolerate violent gang activity in our communities. We will use all our law enforcement tools to thwart criminal efforts of street gangs. Operation Community Shield shows how ICE works with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal organizations and help protect our communities."

ICE was assisted in the operation by Boone County Sheriff's Office, and the following Illinois police departments: Aurora, Belvidere, Elgin, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Warrenville and West Chicago.

Since ICE began Operation Community Shield in February 2005, more than 12,500 gang members belonging to more than 900 different gangs have been arrested nationwide. More information on Operation Community Shield is available at: www.ice.gov.

The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling ICE's toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423. This hotline is staffed around the clock.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

Last Modified: Monday, April 20, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0904/090417chicago.htm

The multi-agency operation, which began Tuesday morning and ended Wednesday night, targeted foreign-born gang members and associates in the northern and northwest suburbs. All those arrested are Mexican men. All 17 arrested are illegal aliens. In addition, ICE arrested two U.S. permanent residents whose previous criminal convictions make them eligible for deportation. They were all placed into administrative removal proceedings. During the operation ICE agents also seized small amounts of heroin and marijuana that were turned over to local authorities.

Are you going after other family members of these illegals? Are you checking to find out who was aiding and abetting these illegals? Landlords? Car Dealerships? Employers?

Let's see what Janet and Obama have to say about this!

Good Job ICE! I'm Glad someone is protecting Americans!

Are you going after other family members of these illegals? Are you checking to find out who was aiding and abetting these illegals? Landlords? Car Dealerships? Employers?

No because they support the activity.

God Bless ICE!

17 arrested in ICE-led operation targeting gang members for deportation

Grea job ICE! All illegal aliens are potential gang members IMO. Arrest and deport all of them.

vmonkey56 wrote:

Are you going after other family members of these illegals? Are you checking to find out who was aiding and abetting these illegals? Landlords? Car Dealerships? Employers?

Me, me, me, me! The answer to that question is an unequivocal NO!

The big question is, how many illegals did ICE come into contact with that weren't part of a gang? Knowing the answer to that question will probably give us a clue as to how many illegals ICE ignored during the raid.

Sorry folks, since Ms. Napalitano(sp?) took the helm, my confidence in ICE is at an all time low.

With our wide open borders, for every gang member deported more illegally enter the country every day and those that are deported will be back in Mexicago before supper. I no longer have any confidence in iCE, DHS and this corrupt Mexican mafia and drug cartel owned and controlled government.