Atty. General Sessions Singles Out MS-13 Gang In Crackdown

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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/AP) —The Justice Department is planning a tough crackdown on violent gangs, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday.

Sessions singled out one organization in particular, the MS-13 street gang.

Its members are suspected in the killings of four people last week in Long Island.

Sessions says in prepared remarks that gangs like MS-13 "represent one of the gravest threats to American safety."

He says tougher enforcement of immigration and border crimes will curb gang activity.

Sessions said cities that protect people in the country illegally make efforts to fight gang violence more difficult.

He added, so-called sanctuary cities are "aiding these cartels to refill their ranks."

Sessions was speaking before a meeting with federal law enforcement officials to discuss ways to combat organized crime.