Inside ICE: Volume 2, Issue 11

ICE Arrests 95 Gang Members

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- A joint investigation led by ICE in the New York area has resulted in the arrest of 95 criminal alien gang members, all of whom now face removal from the United States.

The arrests are the culmination of a joint four-month investigation conducted by ICE, the New York City Department of Probation, the Yonkers Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies that targeted criminal alien gang members residing in New York City, Yonkers and Long Island.

The ICE initiative, called “Operation ICE Cage,” was launched in January and falls under the umbrella of ICE’s nationwide anti-gang initiative called “Operation Community Shield.” To date, Community Shield has led to the arrest of hundreds of gang members nationwide, including more than 200 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang.

Community Shield is designed to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute violent gangs by using the full authorities and investigative tools available to ICE. Under this initiative, ICE is employing its broad immigration authorities against gang members, as well as its customs authorities in targeting narcotics smuggling, money laundering and in seeking the forfeiture of assets.

This initiative involves strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts.

“It’s well documented that violent gangs pose a significant threat to the public safety of New York,” said Martin Ficke, ICE New York Special Agent-in-Charge. “This initiative leverages an array of law enforcement efforts with the common goal of removing criminal alien gang members from the United States and eliminating their ability to continuously re-victimize our communities.”

The criminal alien gang members arrested in the New York operation had prior convictions for various offenses including assault, attempted assault, sexual misconduct, criminal sale of marijuana, criminal possession of a weapon, drug sales and possession, gang assault, promoting prostitution, criminal possession of stolen property and robbery.

All of the gang members arrested were in the country illegally and will now be placed in removal proceedings. Countries of origin for those arrested include Dominica, Ecuador, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru. Arrests were made within the five boroughs of New York City, Yonkers, Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Gangs targeted in the operation included MS-13, the Crips, Carnalito, Los Cholos, La Raza, Somebre Negra, Los Vagos, Cachondos, La Pirmera, the Latin Boys, Vatos Locos, Crazy Homies and the Mexican Mafia.

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Inside ICE is an e-newsletter produced by the ICE Office of Public Affairs to inform the public about the mission, operations and activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Please send comments and contributions to Russ Bergeron, Editor.

425 I St NW
Washington, D.C. 20536
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Russ Bergeron, Editor
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Russ.Bergeron@dhs.gov