Border Control warns violent MS-13 gang members are ‘exploiting the influx of migrants’ to evade arrest at US border
US Border Control has warned that violent MS-13 gang members could be evading arrest at the border by "exploiting the influx of migrants" amid the current crisis.
It comes as five MS-13 and 18th Street gang members were captured in seven days trying to enter the US by disguising themselves among other migrants, according to CBP agent Chief Matthew Hudak.
“They attempt to evade arrest by exploiting the influx of migrants attempting to enter our country,” Hudak on Friday, identifying the specific gangs members’ affiliations to the ruthless El Salvadorian MS-13 and 18th Street syndicates.
Both are gangs with notorious reputations having flexed their influence among Central American immigrant communities throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, has anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 members spread across dozens of US states, at least six countries in the Americas, and several countries in Europe.
The group lives by the motto:
“We can never stop being vigilant.”
During the month of March, the US has seen an influx of trying to gain entry at the southwest border - a 71 percent increase from February, according to a Border Patrol release.
Despite the remarkable uptick in migrants trying to make it into the US, a border official remains optimistic that they have the situation under control.
“CBP has experienced an increase in encounters and arrests,” CBP Senior Official. “This is not new.
“Encounters have continued to increase since April 2020, and our past experiences have helped us be better prepared for the challenges we face this year.
“We are committed to balancing the need to maintain border security, care for those in our custody, and keep the American people and our workforce safe.”