A cooperative effort by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal, state and local law enforcement officials is targeting so-called "transnational gangs" in an 83-city crackdown. The effort is part of an initiative to re-introduce comprehensive immigration reform in the nation's capital.
Immigration officials recently announced the arrest of 476 immigrants on gang-related charges, including a dozen in and around Chicago. The devastating effects of gangs in Chicago is well known. RICO (Racketeering-Influenced Corrupt Organizations) Act is known under the premise of the law of conspiracy is that criminals together pose a greater danger than criminals alone. Gangs are known to do this.
These gang members swept up by ICE will need to meet with a Chicago criminal attorney for their felony charges.
Transnational gangs have carved a significant niche into the American Midwest, prompting officials to redouble their efforts in Illinois and surrounding states, ICE special agent Gary Hartwig told reporters: "There are more gangs in Illinois than any other state, based on [per capita] population."
Critics of comprehensive immigration often point to the threat of immigrant gang members plying their trade (mostly drugs) in American small towns. ICE and other law enforcement officials nationwide have arrested about 16,000 gang members since 2005 and have deported 9,000 of them.
The nationwide sweep, dubbed "Project Big Freeze," took place from Jan. 17 to Jan. 24.
John Morton, assistant secretary of Homeland Security overseeing ICE, was quoted as saying that those arrested are not petty offenders but often-violent individuals involved in organized crime. Chicago-area arrests were made in Algonquin, Carpentersville, Elgin, Hanover Park, Palatine, Schaumberg, Streamwood, Vernon Hills and Waukegan.
Related Resources:
- ICE Cracks Down on Criminal Aliens in California (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life Blog)
- ICE Facts Sheet (ICE)
- Chicago Criminal Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
ShareThis
