A new immigration enforcement sweep in New York nets 20 illegal alien gang members. From AP:

Federal agents have 20 Long Island gang members in custody who are in the country illegally as part of a large scale, nationwide gang violence sweep. Authorities said the suspects are primarily members of the MS-13 gang that had been arrested previously.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are expected to announce the crackdown at a press conference in Washington DC today. The Long Island gang members and dozens of others face deportation.

Well, we know how that goes, but we’ll cross our fingers.

Meanwhile, immigration and customs enforcement crackdowns elsewhere across the country–from Washington to Los Angeles, Baltimore, Newark, Miami and Dallas metropolitan areas–have yielded more than 100 total alleged MS-13 gang members. More:

The arrests are the result of a new “Operation Community Shield” nationwide sting by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target violent gangs.

“By bringing the full range of ICE’s immigration and customs authorities in the fight against violent street gangs, we can take hundreds of gang members off the streets and have a significant impact on community safety,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Michael Garcia, who is director of the ICE bureau.

Half of the alleged gang members have prior arrests or convictions for violent crimes, including murder, sodomy, assault, arson and weapons and drug possession, officials said.

In one example, on March 13 agents arrested a man who acknowledged he is a founding member and leader of the MS-13 cell in Hollywood, officials said. The man, who was charged with immigration violations, was previously convicted in the United States for robbery, possession of a dangerous weapon and mail theft.

Authorities also arrested the purported leader of the MS-13 cell in Long Branch, N.J. on March 10. The suspect has a criminal rap sheet that includes charges of arson, weapons possession and grand larceny, officials said. He was also arrested on immigration charges.

It’s a start. Kudos to ICE for its efforts to bring some order to our border chaos.

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