Immigration and the Alien Gang Epidemic: Problems and Solutions; Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, April 13, 2005 Serial No. 109-8

Washington DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 2005. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps. Very good. iii, [1], 49, [3] pages. Illustrations. The Chairman's opening remarks included the following: " Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims hearing will examine the alien gang epidemic that is facing the United States. At this hearing we will examine the role of aliens in gang crimes, investigate the immigration factors that have shaped the gang epidemic facing this country, and assess the use of the immigration laws in controlling alien gang crime. While there are an estimated 750,000 to 850,000 gang members in the United States today, there are no firm estimates on how many of those gang members are aliens and how many are citizens. What is apparent, however, is that gang crime is a growing problem. Over 631 gang-related homicides occurred in 2001, and by 2003, the number of gang killings had jumped to 819. In addition to homicide, gang members have been directly linked to the narcotics trade, human trafficking, document fraud, and violent assaults. It is also apparent that aliens are members of many of the most violent gangs in America. Reports have indicated that 60 percent of California's 18th Street Gang are illegal aliens. This gang is reportedly ``involved in many types of criminal activities, including auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shootings, drug sales, arms trafficking, extortion, rape, murder for hire, and murder.'' Similarly, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has reported that, ``The majority of MS-13 members are foreign nationals in this country illegally.'' Newsweek has termed MS-13, which has an estimated 20,000 members in the United States, ``the most dangerous gang in America.'' It has even been alleged to be negotiating with al Qaeda to smuggle terrorists into our country. It is also apparent that aliens are key members of these dangerous gangs.