Violent street gang MS-13 puts Long Island towns in its grip

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, a memorial to best friends Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas is seen near the spot where their bodies were found in Brentwood, N.Y. Two suburbs on New York’s Long Island are in the grip of fear from a violent street gang with Central American ties, MS-13. The gang has been blamed for the deaths of nearly a dozen young people in blue-collar Brentwood and Central Islip since the school year began. (AP Photo/Claudia Torrens, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, a poster featuring photos of Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas is part of a memorial near the spot where their bodies were found in Brentwood, N.Y. The girls, who were best friends, were found murdered. In the months leading up to her death, Kayla was involved in a series of disputes with members and associates of the MS-13, prosecutors said. (AP Photo/Claudia Torrens, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, Abraham Chaparro, holds a photograph of his murdered stepson, Miguel Garcia-Moran, outside his home in Brentwood, N.Y. The remains of Garcia-Moran, who was reported missing in February, were found in September. Two suburbs on New York’s Long Island are in the grip of fear from a violent street gang with Central American ties, MS-13. (AP Photo/Claudia Torrens, File ) (The Associated Press)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions plans to visit one of the suburbs on New York's Long Island that is in the grip of fear from a violent street gang with Central American ties, MS-13.

The gang has been blamed for the deaths of 11 mostly young people in blue-collar Brentwood and Central Islip since the school year began.

Some parents say they are afraid to let their children go to school. Teens say any perceived slight to a gang member, particularly a refusal to join, can mean death.

President Donald Trump says the killings are the result of immigration policies that let too many criminals slip through. Sessions plans to discuss the issue with law enforcement officers at the federal courthouse where some of the suspects are facing possible death penalty sentences.