"[Navy] Base security scrutinized over illegal-immigrant workers"

Illegal aliens have not only worked at Norfolk Naval Station (the world's largest naval base), some of them appear to be members of a violent Salvadoran gang:

Federal authorities said Monday that they are investigating whether local construction companies bribed Norfolk Naval Station security officials to allow illegal immigrants and suspected foreign gang members through the gates to work...

The investigation began nearly two years ago, when five undocumented men were found on the world's largest naval installation taking photographs near a pier...

As the investigation broadened, Norfolk police learned that some other workers claimed to be members of a "notoriously violent" El Salvadoran gang called "MS Thirteen" and that Ramos had smuggled them into the country, court records say.

Later, Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents discovered MS Thirteen-related graffiti in living quarters on the base, the papers say.

Navy officials said they have not changed or reviewed their security procedures as a result of the case.

"I wouldn't say that there is a security hole," said Beth Baker, a spokeswoman for the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Regional Command, headquartered in Norfolk.

"Our security and access to our bases is pretty tight," she added. "The Navy appears to be a relatively small part of a larger investigation here..."

Immigration_terror · Wed, 05/05/2004 - 11:17 · · Importance: 1