Two major street gangs whose members hail from El Salvador—Mara Salvatrucha (or MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang—have their roots in the city of Los Angeles. Now the Los Angeles Daily News reports that both gangs are not only sending high-ranking members from El Salvador into the United States, but also reaching out to affiliated stateside gangs in order to consolidate their power structure.
An agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says that both gangs’ leaders “are trying to put pressure on members to get more violent and more active” on American soil. With California residents highly restricted in their right to bear arms, and law enforcement officers backed into less proactive stances, an increase in gang activity is the last thing that L.A. needs right now.
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