Thread: Illegal and in gang? Prepare to go home

http://www.startribune.com/stories/467/5707798.html

Illegal and in gang? Prepare to go home
Tom Ford, Star Tribune
November 4, 2005


A nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants who are members or associates of street gangs has led to the arrest of 44 people in Minnesota, 30 of whom have been deported.

"These are some pretty bad actors," said Tim Counts, spokesman for the Twin Cities office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The collective rap sheet of the Minnesota arrestees includes charges of second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated robbery, assault on a federal officer, sale of cocaine and criminal sexual conduct.

One of those deported, Argenis Manuel Bernabe-Orosco, 21, of Mexico, was a leader of the Latin Kings gang in Chaska, according to immigration officials.

The crackdown, called Operation Community Shield, has netted more than 1,500 suspects nationwide since it began in February.

The effort was initially targeted at members of the MS-13 gang, labeled by immigration officials as the country's largest and most violent street gang. By May, officials had expanded the scope to all gangs.

Only two of the 44 arrested in Minnesota were part of the MS-13 gang, Counts said.

More prevalent were members of the Latin Kings and Surenos 13 gangs, he said.

The operation is ongoing, Counts noted, meaning it's likely that several more gang members in Minnesota will be detained. The effort can remove gang members not only from community streets, but also from the country, Counts said. "We can do things no other [law enforcement] agency can," Counts said.

I wonder how long until they sneek back in the country?

Right, steelerbabe. I remember reading an article in the Charlotte, NC, paper over a year ago dealing with just this. A member of their "gang unit" said they'd arrest ms-13 members, have them deported, and they'd come back again and again. Deportation might not be such a good idea if they bringing friends back with them when they sneak back in.