[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FOREIGN GANGS OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, since June, national law enforcement agencies 
have teamed up with their state and local counterparts. The result? The 
arrest of more than 1,300 violent street gang members, associates, and 
illegal aliens in 19 states.
  In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement launched a national effort called Operation 
Community Shield. This effort has already led to the arrests of over 
7,600 gang members from 700 different gangs; 107 were gang leaders. ICE 
agents also seized 340 grams of cocaine and over 1 lb. of marijuana and 
crack cocaine.
  Operation Community Shield focuses on keeping criminal gangs off our 
streets. ICE agents investigate the crimes and the immigration status 
of the criminals. Since 2005, ICE charged 5200 gang members with 
immigration violations and processed them for deportation.
  This is a great example of successful law enforcement partnerships. 
Local, state, and federal anti-gang efforts are leading the fight 
against street gangs. These partnerships allow law enforcement agents 
to share resources and leadership and to arrest, prosecute, imprison 
and deport criminal and illegal alien gang members. And that's just the 
way it is.

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