Summary: Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents teamed with law enforcement agencies in Houston and seven other Texas cities have staged a major multiagency crackdown as part of the ongoing “Operation Community Shield”. Nearly 150 people were arrested, including 67 suspected gang members. Of this number an estimated 12 were members of MS-13.
Analysis: Operation Community Shield, which began in February 2005, is something Msthirteen.com has commented on before. It seems to be more of a program than an operation, because it’s unclear what the end state ICE is hoping to achieve or when they hope to achieve it. Instead it seems more like an ongoing program to team ICE agents with local law enforcement, who can’t normally deport detainees. In this way, when raids are executed, if there is insufficient evidence to prosecute based on gang activities, suspicious persons or the close associates and suspected gang members can still be deported. Thus far ICE reports to have arrested a total of 7,655 street gang members and associates as part of this program.
