Gang Crackdown in Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro Area

Dozens of foreign-born gang members were caught in a sweep called "Operation Community Shield" -- a campaign by federal, state and local law enforcement -- that targeted the Twin Cities and surrounding metro areas. (This is actually a national campaign.)

In the past 2 weeks, federal agents and Twin Cities-area police, officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have made 50 arrests. Gang members from Mexico and other countries have been swept up. This included 35 gang members and seven gang associates from 10 Twin Cities-area gangs. Of the 50 arrested, 38 are illegal immigrants.

Specifically, those that were here illegally, 29 come from Mexico, six from Honduras, two from El Salvador and one from Ecuador. 10 U.S. citizens were nabbed along with two permanent residents, also known as green-card holders. They were charged with various state and federal charges, including weapons possession, possessing illegal drugs and criminal traffic offenses.

12 of those arrested have previous convictions, including assault, drug possession, criminal damage to property, burglary, disorderly conduct and drunken driving.

Officials are intending on deporting the illegal immigrants that were arrested, except for three suspects; they will be referred to the U.S. Attorney's office. Two will be prosecuted for re-entering the United States after previously being deported. (It is a felony to re-enter the United States after going through formal deportation proceedings.) They face up to 20 years in federal prison. One will be prosecuted for possessing a controlled substance.

I am quite confident someone will complain with charges of profiling or their rights were violated. Besides, they were only doing jobs (victimizing people) that Americans won't do.