a violent incident occurred at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where six inmates—five of whom are illegal MS-13 gang members—allegedly carried out a premeditated attack, stabbing three correctional officers. The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) reported that all five MS-13 members were convicted of violent crimes, including murder and rape. A sixth attacker, a U.S. citizen affiliated with the Sureño 13 gang, is serving a sentence for second-degree murder. VADOC Director Chad Dotson expressed outrage that the MS-13 members were in the U.S. and commended the correctional officers for their bravery. Two of the five injured officers remain hospitalized in stable condition, while three have been released. The investigation is ongoing.
This attack has intensified national debates over immigration enforcement and gang violence, especially as it coincides with the controversy surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member deported despite a judge’s protection order. President Trump, during his second term, designated MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations, aiming to strengthen efforts to remove illegal immigrants affiliated with criminal gangs.
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s. With an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 members worldwide, including 8,000 to 10,000 in the United States, the gang is notorious for its extreme violence and involvement in various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and murder.
The recent incident at Wallens Ridge State Prison underscores the challenges faced by correctional facilities in managing violent gang members and highlights the broader implications for national security and immigration policy.
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