Thread: 11 arrested in Wisconsin during ICE-led anti-gang operation

I.C.E. News Release

July 23, 2009

11 arrested in south Wisconsin during ICE-led anti-gang operation

WAUKESHA, Wis. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in close partnership with local law enforcement officers, arrested 11 Mexican nationals during an operation targeting illegal aliens with ties to violent street gangs. This is the latest local effort in an ongoing national ICE initiative to target foreign-born gang members.

These local arrests were made Tuesday as part of Operation Community Shield, under ICE's National Gang Unit. As part of this national initiative, 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 Operation Community Shield.

The multi-agency operation targeted foreign-born gang members and associates. Of the 11 males arrested, all but one are known members of the following gangs: La Raza, Vatos Locos, Latin Kings, HomeBoyz and the 38th Street Gang. All but one of the gang members is in the United States illegally; one is a U.S. permanent resident whose criminal convictions render him eligible for deportation.

The individual who has no gang affiliation was arrested on an outstanding state warrant during the course of the operation. Two other gang members were also turned over to the custody of the Waukesha County Sheriff on outstanding warrants. All three are currently in state custody and will be turned over to ICE for deportation once the local charges are resolved.

The other eight who were arrested are currently in ICE custody charged with administrative immigration violations, and have been placed in deportation proceedings.

All 11 individuals arrested have prior criminal histories. Some of their convictions and arrests include: illegally carrying a concealed weapon, aggravated battery, burglary, drug possession, theft and drunken driving.

"Street gangs account for a significant amount of crime nationally and locally," said James Gibbons, acting special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. "ICE works closely with our local law enforcement partners to identify, locate and arrest these gang members to thwart criminal activity in our communities. Ultimately, ICE deports these gang members."

ICE was assisted in the operation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Waukesha Police Department.

"The identification and arrest of illegal aliens who organize and are members of criminal street gangs must be a top priority of all law enforcement. I look forward to continuing the strong partnership that we have developed with ICE on Operation Community Shield," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

Since Operation Community Shield began in February 2005, ICE has arrested more than 13,800 gang members belonging to more than 900 different gangs nationwide. More information on the National Gang Unit at ICE is available at: www.ice.gov.

The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling the ICE 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: Thursday, July 23, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0907/090723waukesha.htm

Some of their convictions and arrests include: illegally carrying a concealed weapon, aggravated battery, burglary, drug possession, theft and drunken driving.

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