U.S. Rep. Peter King called for a "full-scale effort to destroy and end the tyranny" in opening a hearing on the violent MS-13 street gang Thursday in New York.
The gang with El Salvador ties has been linked to half a dozen homicides on Long Island since September.
“In many ways they have turned immigrant communities into a killing field,” King said, Newsday reported.
The counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee field hearing focused on how MS-13 recruits new members, especially young immigrants struggling to assimilate, and on the threat the gang poses to the area.
Parents of two teens believed to be killed by MS-13 gang members in September testified during the hearing, along with Rep. Kathleen Rice.