The proliferation of what the Department of Homeland Security characterizes as “transnational, violent street gangs” throughout the United States has compelled federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel to conduct massive security sweeps such as the year long Operation Community Shield. TRC analyses have repeatedly emphasized the growing threat of Central American maras, or gangsters, and the far-reaching security repercussions these gangs pose to the United States. Infamous for their brutal attacks on rival gang members and their antipathy towards law enforcement, MS-13 and Mara 18 have quickly become the most feared and prevalent of US gangs. However, the proliferation of transnational street gangs within the US has grown to encompass violent elements from all over the world, including from the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and Armenia . These gangs increasingly provide a sense of belonging and community for foreigners who often enter the US illegally and are seeking familiar, trustworthy acquaintances.
As reported in 2005 by TRC the successful apprehension and subsequent deportation of foreign gang members to their native countries has resulted in a flourishing gang population throughout Latin America, exponentially increasing the size of such violent gangs and burdening foreign governments . Forced deportations of gang members is but a short-term solution to a much larger problem. Although Central American governments are now aware of the danger gang members pose to the security of their countries, and, as a result, are taking comprehensive steps to detain deported gang members, imprisoning these individuals rarely results in reformation. Often, while serving their limited prison sentences gang members refine their criminal expertise. Upon release from prison, gangsters begin their journey back into the US, often acting as hired guides, or coyotes, to novice border jumpers.
In the past year rumors have circulated that maras may act as guides to jihadist extremists wishing to seek entry into the US through the porous US-Mexico border. Although there has been no documented validity to these claims, the mere possibility of such an occurrence has drawn considerable attention. Ideologically, Central American gangsters have little in common with jihadist terrorists and are unlikely to assist such radical elements.
Compounding federal authorities’ apprehension concerning MS-13 gangsters, in October 2005 federal authorities alerted law enforcement officials throughout the US that MS-13 members were planning to assassinate federal and local police. Intelligence obtained from a Virginia informant detailed the MS-13 plan, which was dubbed as “Kill a Law Enforcement Officer Day” but was later discounted by local law enforcement.
The rapid metastasizing of transnational gangs is increasingly worrisome for federal, state, and local authorities. Historically operating in larger inner cities such as Los Angeles and Washington D.C., gangs have begun to make large inroads into ?small town? America. Gang members were arrested in locations such as Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Des Moines, Iowa; and Springfield, Missouri. Such growth has necessitated the increased cooperation of various levels of government. Although it remains to be determined if large crackdowns such as Operation Community Shield drastically reduces gangs permanently or are but a short term solution, the synergy exhibited in the operation is to be commended. Realistically the complete eradication of organized street gangs is unlikely to occur, though Operation Community Shield may succeed in limiting gang crime rates temporarily. As stated by TRC at the beginning of Operation Community Shield in March 2005 , “transnational cooperative efforts, especially with El Salvador and Honduras , to prosecute, track, and rehabilitate these criminals might help to prevent their return to the US to continue their illegal activity.”