U.S. Immigration Arrests 59 In Boston
Tue Oct 9, 6:18 PM ET



Federal immigration authorities said Tuesday they arrested 59 illegal immigrants in the Boston area over the summer in a nationwide effort to rid cities of criminal gang members.

They said some of the foreign nationals arrested in Boston had been linked to many different street gangs, including Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Vatos Locos, 18th Street and Surenos (SUR-13).

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said those arrested face criminal charges or deportation.

The sweep was part of an effort called "Operation Community Shield" in which 1,313 gang members, gang associates and illegal aliens were picked up over the last two months.

?Violent foreign-born gang members represent a threat to communities across the nation. Working closely with our federal, state and local partners, Operation Community Shield has resulted in the arrest of more than 7,500 gang members and associates since its inception, and more than 1,300 just this summer,? said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for ICE.

?Violent foreign-born gang members and their associates have more than worn out their welcome, and to them I have one message: good riddance,? Myers said.

Federal agents teamed with local law enforcement agencies to identify known gang members.

"Partnerships between federal, state and local police send a strong message to those who engage in violent crime and destroy the fabric of our communities. The vast majority of our residents want to live without fear and removing this criminal gang element helps improve the quality of life for everyone," Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie said.

The majority of those arrested by ICE agents over the summer are from El Salvador, but the group also includes foreign nationals from Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wcvb/20071009/lo_wcvb/14301773