Over 60 Gang Members Caught in N.C. Raids

The Associated Press ^ | 10/07/03 | Tim Whitmire

[texastoo]

Charlotte, N.C.(AP)-Sixty-two alleged members of Charlotte-area gangs were arrested Tuesday in an effort to rid the city of a growing gang problem that has caused the deaths of 11 people over the past 2 1/2 years, federal officials said.

"We will not passively accept the encroachment of gangs and the taking over of our neighborhoods," U.S.Attorney Bob Conrad said at a news conference.

Of those detained in "Operation Fed Up," 53 were being held on immigration charges and will have deportation hearings, Conrad said. Six suspects were arrested and released pending a hearing to determine their immigration status.

The other three were being held on federal criminal charges, including illegal possession of firearms and returning to the United States after being deported.

City and federal officers were involved in the early-morning sweep, which targeted members of Latino street gangs.

"We did not solve the gang problem today, and I don't want to misrepresent that, but this was a strong, proactive strike," said Ken Burkhart, a group supervisor with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have documented about 800 gang members in the city.

Fifteen members of Mara Salvatrucha 13, which police say is the city's most violent gang, have been charged with murder since April, including seven in the death of 19-year-old Isai Alexander Euceda. He was killed during a shootout involving at least 17 people in a part April 13.

The shooting, police said, was part of a dispute between Salvadoran and Honduran members over leadership of the gang.

[ought-six]

Ah, yes. Prime examples of the "decent, hard-working latinos (illegal) who only want to come to America to provide for their families." I don't care what anyone wants to call me, but the latin gangs are destroying us, and their sadistic visciousness is without peer. I saw it first hand when I lived in California and I am seeing it now in Illinois. If the authorities don't take care of this problem, we will have to do it ourselves.

[meyer]

North Carolina passed a law to grant driver's licenses to illegals 2 years before Gray Davis signed such a law for California. There has been not much outrage among Tarheels over the law. As a result, North Carolina has become a magnet for illegal immigration in the South. Yet most Tarheels are still oblivious to the problem of illegal immigration. Many Southerners think it is a California problem that will not spread into their beloved "Dixie". How ignorant they are. In 10 years, the South shall indeed rise again, only this time, the rebels will be whistling Aztlan instead of Dixie.

Tennessee has done similar with its licensing process. And I agree, there's many here that don't really see the problem. Unfortunately, news such as is found in this article doesn't travel very far. That prevents people in other cities from seeing the problems involved with the illegals. All they seem to see is cheap labor.

Maybe what we need is a good old fashioned hillbilly jihad! :)

[azhenfud]

"North Carolina passed a law to grant driver's licenses to illegals 2 years before Gray Davis signed such a law for California. There has been not much outrage among Tarheels over the law."

Does one not have to have a valid socialist security card when applying or renewing a DL?

At any rate, Easily's time is up fairly shortly. Repealing the provisions of rewarding illegals and strengthening and enforcing laws to discourage them, and a plan for encouraging and protecting North Carolina's markets and industries (since each adversely affect the state's budget) will, I believe, be major stumping points for our next state executive/executor.

Visit many department stores (ie. WalMart) on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and you'd have difficulty recognizing what country you're in. North Carolinians are becoming increasingly aware of the problem, and as bad as those may seem now - we're still fortunate we lack the magnitude of that found in border states.

[ought-six]

"It makes you wonder how many more gang members the officials don't know about."

I can walk out on almost any street in Chicago and its environs and point out a bunch of them. They are as obvious as the sun rising in the east.

[Kuksool]

***Does one not have to have a valid socialist security card when applying or renewing a DL?***

I believe an applicant only needs to show proof of residency (rent payment receipt, utility bill) in order to obtain a NC drvier's license.

[Kuksool]

It is amusing that Southerners complain about Yankees moving into the South, yet they show little concern about the growing problem of illegal immigration. Southerners must be addicted to cheap labor.

[azhenfud]

My bad.
Being a resident and recognized by enforcement officers, I've not personally had to contend with the issue.

"When you apply for your NC license, you will be required to show certain types of identification to prove your full name, your age, and your Social Security number if you have one. A Social Security number is not required to obtain a NC driver's license, but you must show proof of residency. Among the documents accepted as proof of age are a current or expired driver's license or identification card from any U.S. state or U.S. territory or a Licencia Federal de Conductor issued by the Mexican government. If you do not have these forms of identification, you must present two other forms of identification, one of which must show your date of birth. Among the documents accepted are:

an original birth certificate
official school transcripts
a valid passport
a W-2 form
a valid INS document, such as a temporary or permanent residence card (green card) or work authorization card.
a divorce decree (from any state)

[azhenfud]

"It is amusing that Southerners complain about Yankees moving into the South, yet they show little concern about the growing problem of illegal immigration."

It could be it is generally accepted illegals posess a language barrier which constitutes a legitimate excuse for their ignorance. Some Yankees, however, have none for theirs....

[JohnnyZ]

At any rate, Easily's time is up fairly shortly.

You're more hopeful than I. I think we'll be in better shape when we have a nominee, but if the primary dates are pushed back that could be September.

[Joe Hadenuf]

North Carolina passed a law to grant driver's licenses to illegals 2 years before Gray Davis signed such a law for California. There has been not much outrage among Tarheels over the law. As a result, North Carolina has become a magnet for illegal immigration in the South. Yet most Tarheels are still oblivious to the problem of illegal immigration. Many Southerners think it is a California problem that will not spread into their beloved "Dixie". How ignorant they are. In 10 years, the South shall indeed rise again, only this time, the rebels will be whistling Aztlan instead of Dixie.

Incredible isn't it? While President Bush stands winking and nodding......

[m1-lightning]

</>we will have to do it ourselves.

Texas is already a step ahead of us.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I think that before this is all over with, illegal immigration is going to be the biggest issue in the 2004 election.

It damned well should be.