This report provides an overview of the ms 13 and m 18 gangs5 examines how ms 13 and m 18 gangs are different from other gangs and organized crime groups and discusses what constitutes a transnational gang the report also explores whether ms 13 and m 18 gangs are transnational gangs and discusses the various federal responses to these gangs. At issue for congress is whether the ms 13 and m 18 gangs constitute an emerging transnational criminal threat the federal response to the ms 13 and m 18 gang problem has largely involved the. Ms 13 and the 18th street gang emerging transnational gang threats introduction street gangs have long been a concern to policy makers the more recent emergence growth and expansion of two latino street gangs the mara salvatrucha ms 131 and the 18th street gang also known as the mara 18 or m 18 have raised concern among policy makers for several reasons2 first membership in these . Two predominantly latino gangs mara salvatrucha ms 13 and the 18th street gang m 18 have raised concern among policy makers for several reasons 1 membership in these gangs has spread from the los angeles area to other communities across the united states 2 these gangs are becoming transnational primarily because ms 13 and m 18 cliques are being established in central america and . The ms 13 and 18th street gangs emerging transnational gang threats page 3 of 24 this report is part of the collection entitled congressional research service reports and was provided to unt digital library by the unt