Listen as Larry spoke with Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy regarding the increase of gang violence within the county.
During the interview, State’s Attorney McCarthy addressed the connection between gang activity and immigration:
O’Connor: Two years ago in 2015 as you started to see the rise of MS-13 trying to reestablish itself in Montgomery County, we were also in the middle of the influx of unaccompanied minors who crossed the border under the Obama administration and were relocated here. Montgomery County is one of the top 10 counties in the country to have relocated unaccompanied children. The Washington Post just last week, Justin Jouvenal, wrote about the increase of MS-13 and he said, specifically pointed out MS-13 new push has been fueled by the recent influx of teenage immigrants like Danny who travel to the United States without guardians to escape poverty and gang violence. Can you tell us if you have voiced this concern since most people have logically seen this as a concern and is the immigration issue just too toxic for our elected officials to actually do something about it?
McCarthy: There are, look, do I think there are targeted groups that come to the United States… Do I think there are policies that go beyond the borders of Montgomery County that have impacted what’s happening here? The answer to that is yes. And are we reaping, are the results of some of those policies impacting what we are seeing in the county? I think the answer is yes. However, at the same time, I think to the largest extent some of those populations to which you’re alluding are being preyed upon to join gangs.
O’Connor: Oh absolutely. And if my question in any way suggested that everyone who has come here as an unaccompanied minor or by the way as legal or illegal immigrants and they’re not minors are all affiliated with MS-13 thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify that, of course not. But much of the investigation into the influx and growth of MS-13 is linked back to this issue.
McCarthy: Let me just simply say, there have been discussions. We do discuss those issues. We are talking about those issues and we are trying to develop strategies for addressing where we are now. Intelligent decisions.
CALL: 202-432-WMAL (9625) | 888-630-WMAL (9625)
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