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V.S. De~rlmentofHOineland Sewrity
425 I ,1,,,,,, NW
Wffihing~l,DC 20536

US. Immigration
and Customs .
Enforcement

March 7, 2005

MEMORANDUM FOR: Special Agents in Charge

FROM: Marcy M. Forman lsi

Director of Investigations

SUBJECT: Operation Community Shield - Guidan ce

On February 23,2005, I provided you with initial guidance and reporting requirements
regarding Operation Community Shield, which is an ICE led effort to attack the Mara
Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang(s). The purpose of this Memorandum is to provide further details
regarding Operation Community Shield, the process developed to address M S-13 gangs in your
respective areas of responsibility (AORs) and to communicate reporting requ irements and
expectations for all SAC offices with respect to Operation Community Shield.

Based upon threat assessments conducted by al~SACs

" .!. !.I • • • -. '. ~~ "r. • • • ' -. threat·
- •• 1

The Headquarters smiiigglinand

Public Safety Division worked with the above listed SAC offices to develop a roc ss
to be app lied in the in1p lementation of Operation Community Shield. The app Ication ofthi
process insured uniformity and consistency in identifY ing and prioritizing targets and institut
coordination between ICE and other law enforcement agencies. The remaining"CE
SAC offices may anticipate the emergence ofMS-13 activity in their AORs, particularly as
ICE enforcement operations disp lace gang activity.

the SACs
to gather intelligence, develop sources of
In ormation, an to ultinmtely disrupt, dismantle and prosecuteMS-13 gang members and
organ izations is detailed below.

Vo.'Yvw.ice.gov
 Office 0 f/mestigat ions

V.S. Del~rtmmt of Hom elarxI Sewrity

425 I Slr"",NW
Wl£hington,DC 20536

u.s. Immigration
and Customs
Enforcement

FEB 23 2005

MEMORANDUM FOR: Special Agents in C arge

FROM: Marcy M, Forman

Director ofInvestigation

SUBJECT: Operation Community Shield - M S-13 Gang In itiative

Operation Community Shield is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiative

through which the Office ofInvestigations will address the growing problem of the violent
street gang Mara Salvatrucha (M S-13) in America, In December 2003, all SAC offices
conducted threat assessments regardin g violent street gang activity in their areas of
responsibility (AOR), The assessments indicated that MS-13 as among the largest and most
violent of street gan gs in the United States, The assessments estimate that the majority ofM S-
13's membership consists offoreign-born persons, thus making them subject to ICE's broad
criminal and administrative authorities. As a result, the Smuggling / Public Safety Division at
ICE Headquarters developed Operation Community Shield as a focused initiative to bringto
bear ICE's authorities, in a coord inated effort, against M S-13,

The goals of this effort are to gather intelligence, develop sources of information, and to
ultimately disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the violent street gang members and the
organ iz at ions as a whole by emp loy ingthe full range of authorities and investigative tools
available to ICE. Operation Community Shield will be a cooperative and coordinated effort
with the Offices ofIntelligence and Detention and Removal Operations. In order to maximize

~
ion with other Federal law enforcement agencies
cP>(l: s recommended. Full engagement of the respective U.S,
rJ" :J..l~ Attorneys will be critical to the success of Operation Community Shield. Additionally, there
\J/;l1J will be a sign ificant emp has is on enhancing information sharing amon g state and local law
enforcement agencies.

wW\v.ice.gov
Memorandum for Special Agents in Charge
Operation Community Shield

ICE SAC offices will be incorporated into Community Shield based on intelligence developed
during the in itial imp iementation ofthe operation and existing threats that are identified by
each respective ICE office. As additional SAC offices are incorporated into Communit
Shield, the too will a roc s as rev· i

S- I3 enforcement activities is requjre

ICE Headquarters has been tasked to prepare a weekly report to the
ecretary 0 e Dep artment ofHomeiand Security summarizing our achievements under
Operation Community Shield.

Further details regard ing Operation Community Shield will be provided in a follow-up
memorandum. Please . omments or questions regard ing Operation Community
Shield sistant Director, Smuggling/ Public Safety Division, at