by Jay Moody

Created on: November 12, 2007

One of the biggest concerns in the current realm of Homeland Security is terrorism. In recent years arguments surrounding this issue have fueled many a politicians or talking head's rhetoric. Billions of dollars have been pumped into security programs and the "Patriot Act" has been signed hoping to strengthen our national security. But there are still many arguments and concerns over the porous nature of the borders of the United States. There are many potential threats regarding a non-secured border in the age of terrorism, perhaps one of the worst is known as MS-13. This ruthless gang of Latin American refugees could potentially be a key factor in facilitating our enemies to invade our Nation and destroy our social structure.

MS-13 has a rather unique history for an American street gang and that history also makes for a rather unique gang at the current time. During the 1980's over one million refugees migrated to the United States escaping the civil war that was waging in El Salvador. These Salvadoran refugees were settled primarily in already established Hispanic Communities in Southern California, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia. Some of these immigrants had connections to a common Street gang in their own country, La Mara. Others were former guerilla fighters from organizations such as Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMNL), also known as the Salvatrucha rebels. Especially in Los Angeles these Salvadoran refugees were not well accepted into the communities and were often the target of many local Hispanic gangs. For protection the former members of La Mara and the Salvatrucha rebels joined together to form Mara Salvatrucha, MS-13. Before long, though they quickly became known for gang violence, turf wars and crime.(1)

"Gang members sometimes wear blue and white, colors taken from the national flag of El Salvador. They can also sport numerous body and even face tattoos. However, some members are much less visible and therefore much more dangerous. Recent reports indicate that MS-13 has expanded from California to Alaska, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia,Washington, D.C., and Florida. The gang has also been exported back to Central America."(2)

MS-13 is not a run of the mill street gang. They represent a greater threat to our Homeland Security than any domestic gang we as a nation have ever known. The Maldon Institute report indicates that MS-13 "appears to be in control of much

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