Burning Atlanta

A crowd gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office Thursday night in Waukegan. Some at the vigil are questioning why people who have already been through the legal system were targeted.

Of the 58 arrested, 37 are illegal aliens and 21 are U.S. permanent residents whose previous criminal convictions render them eligible for deportation. ICE agents in Chicago have made more than 275 arrests since the Operation Community Shield was established in February 2005.

Among those arrested was Edgar Rodriguez-Tovar, a 23-year-old Sureño-13 member, apprehended Aug. 26 in Round Lake, the release said. He is an illegal alien from Mexico with prior convictions for aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery, the release said. He remains in ICE custody pending deportation to Mexico.

Also arrested was Mario Vargas-Hernandez at his Waukegan residence, the release said. The 34-year-old is a member of the Latin Kings with gang tattoos confirming his membership. He is illegal alien with a burglary conviction and numerous arrests for unlawfully using a weapon, possessing a firearm, battery and aggravated assault, the release said. He remains in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico.

Some of the crimes associated with the gang members arrested during this local operation include aggravated battery, possessing a controlled substance, armed violence, possessing a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, drunken driving, mob action and burglary.  Damn, they're practically Boy Scouts. Pillars of the community. Why target them?