ICE arrests 49 immigrants in gang sweep

CHICAGO U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the four-day operation focused in Chicago's north suburbs.

Those arrested are accused of crimes including burglary and drug possession.

ICE says 47 are members of gangs including Brown Pride, Insane Dueces and Latin Kings.

Of those arrested, 48 are illegal immigrants and one is a permanent resident. Most of the men are from Mexico and one is from Guatemala.

The arrests are part of ICE's "Operation Community Shield." It's a 2005 program the agency says helps fight street gangs and has led to nearly 9,000 arrests.

But some immigrant rights advocates criticize the sweeps, claiming they might lead to racial profiling and cause fear in immigrant communities.

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