Madam Speaker. I rise today to proudly recognize the Dallas Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. and the Detention and Removal Operations agents who participated in Operation Community Shieldan annual. national law enforcement initiative that brings together federal. state. and local law enforcement to fight gang violence. drug smuggling and organized crime linked to illegal immigration. I applaud the remarkable accomplishments they produced in just seven days of Operation Community Shield: 120 gang members arrested. including members from 28 alien gangs. 63 criminal arrests. and 8 firearms and over 4.000 grams of marijuana and cocaine seized. Thanks to Operation Community Shield. numerous murderers. rapists. and drug dealers have been taken off our streets. With the collaborative work of federal. state. and local law enforcement. Operation Community Shield enables officers to more effectively communicate between agencies. developing a "force multiplier" effect in fighting against violent gangs and criminal illegal immigrants. Consequently. I believe that this important initiative represents a critical step in addressing the illegal immigration problem facing our community and nation. Madam Speaker. I would further like to give recognition to the leadership of John Chakwin.
Identified stereotypes
Associating illegal immigrants with gang violence, drug smuggling, and organized crime.