Illegal Immigrants To Get U.S. Residency…In Jail
Illegal Immigrants With Gang-Connections Could Get 20 Years In Federal Prison

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― Twenty-three gang-members awaiting their release from state prisons and various jails around southern California are facing new federal charges which could land each of them behind bars for up to another 20 years in federal prison.

The twenty-three defendants were charged as part of an effort by local and federal law enforcement to further punish convicted illegal alien gang members. The idea is to charge them with felony re-entering the United States after deportation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. If convicted, each gang member faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Six of the defendants were scheduled to make their appearances Wednesday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

One defendant, Ascencion Hernandez-Perez, 38, of Mexico, has been deported seven times and has prior convictions for making criminal threats and domestic violence. Hernandez-Perez allegedly has ties to the Valerio Street gang, according to ICE.

Julio Cesar Mata-Sosa, 34, of Mexico, has also been deported seven times and has been convicted of robbery, possessing and selling illegal drugs, and auto theft.

The new effort is called “Operation Winter Warningâ€