Operation Community Shield
In February 2005, ICE began Operation Community Shield, a national law enforcement initiative that targets violent transnational street gangs through the use of ICE's broad law enforcement powers, including the unique and powerful authority to remove (deport) criminal aliens, including illegal aliens and legal permanent resident aliens. Under Operation Community Shield:
- Partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, in the United States and abroad, to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach in conducting criminal investigations and other law enforcement operations against violent street gangs and others who pose a threat to public safety.
- Identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements.
- Deters, disrupts and dismantles gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities.
- Seeks prosecution and/or removal of alien gang members from the United States .
- Works closely with our attaché offices throughout Latin America and foreign law enforcement counterparts in gathering intelligence, sharing information and conducting coordinated enforcement operations.
- Conducts outreach efforts to increase public awareness about the fight against violent street gangs.
Operation Community Shield Task Forces came to be around 2010. As of 2011, there were OCSTF in the following locations: Baltimore, MD, Birmingham, AL, Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Salt Lake City, UT, San Angelo, TX, St. Paul, MN, and Honduras. By 2011, the operation had over 20,000 arrests, including over 3,000 arrests of alleged MS-13 members. Project Southern Tempest, the early 2011 arrests of hundreds of alleged gang members, representing hundreds of different gangs in 168 US cities, was part of Operation Community Shield. .
Read more about this topic: U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement, Investigative Programs
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