Immigration sweep nets suburban residents

A government sweep targeting illegal immigrants suspected of having ties to street gangs resulted in 26 arrests, including several suburban residents, this week.

Among them was 38-year-old Rudolfo Lira, of the 1500 block of Silver Lane in Palatine, who authorities say faces forgery charges and has an outstanding warrant out of Cook County. After his criminal case concludes, Lira will be remanded to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation, authorities said.

Also arrested was 22-year-old Norma Parada-Lopez, a U.S. citizen and Palatine resident, charged with battery and resisting a peace officer following an incident that occurred as ICE agents took another individual into custody.

Twenty-two of those arrested are gang members, said an ICE spokeswoman in a prepared statement, and most of them are Mexican nationals who face immigration charges and deportation.

Of the 26 arrests, 13 occurred in Palatine, eight in Rolling Meadows and one each in Elgin, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Wheeling and Chicago.

Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Elgin, Wheeling, Streamwood, Hanover Park and Chicago police departments participated in the three-day sweep which is part of the ongoing Operation Community Shield. Since the establishment of Operation Community Shield in 2005, ICE agents have arrested more than 17,500 gang members linked to more than 900 gangs.