Protecting our communities from gang violence – Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Turn on the TV, and odds are that you can find a program or movie about gangs playing at any given time. While we’ve seen it on TV and in the media, gang violence seems more like a problem you’d find in New York or L.A. – not smaller cities and towns. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Transnational criminal gangs, like MS-13, have made their presence known in almost every part of our country and are on the radar of law enforcement in communities throughout Virginia.

The Department of Homeland Security reports an ever-growing number of criminal aliens are joining international gangs like the notoriously violent MS-13. This gang is comprised of members mostly from Central America and is estimated to have 10,000 members within our borders and 40,000 members worldwide. In the last year alone we have seen several brutal murders in Virginia tied to MS-13 members, including the murder of a young man in Bedford County and a young woman in Northern Virginia.

Whether these criminals came to the United States illegally or have valid visas or green cards, it is time to send the message that this behavior will simply not be tolerated. However, under current immigration law it is not possible to deport gang members until they are convicted of an independent crime. That’s why the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act (H.R. 3697), passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, is a much-needed piece of legislation.

Introduced by my fellow Virginia representative, Barbara Comstock, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act makes it clear that criminal alien gang members are not eligible to come to the United States and ensures that they are kept off our streets. This includes detaining and removing those who are criminal gang members or participate in gang activity. Additionally, the bill ensures that these individuals are not eligible for immigration benefits, such as asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, and temporary protected status, which are reserved for those around the world most in need of protection.

Our nation’s immigration laws must not be exploited by dangerous gang members seeking to bring crime and illicit activity to our neighborhoods. This targeted, common sense measure provides law enforcement with more tools to deport gang members before they can commit violent crimes. Lessening their grip is critical to ensuring the safety of everyone, especially America’s young people. I applaud the House for passing the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act and call on the Senate to pass it, as well as the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kate’s Law, without delay.