Convergence of Gang Membership, Trafficking, and Violent Extremism among Somali Americans

• In Event: Radicalization to Violent Extremism: Is One Thing Like Another?

Abstract

Criminal activity in U.S. refugee and immigrant communities, and criminal justice responses to it, are impacted by both transnational issues and convergence between crime types. This research focuses on the Somali-American diaspora which has been involved in gang membership, radicalization to violent extremism, and trafficking in persons. This study aims to build scientific knowledge on these crimes with an emphasis on transnational issues and convergence in contexts of profound community vulnerability and active criminal networks. A three-year, multi-site, and mixed methods study, now in year 3, that examines the convergence of crimes in the Somali community. Data collection is taking place in three American cities which are home to large Somali communities: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Columbus, and Nashville. The specific aims are:
Aim 1. To systematically review all known cases of radicalization and trafficking among Somali-Americans using a case study approach to document and characterize the similarities and differences with respect to multi-level risks, protective resources, criminal justice responses and outcomes, and perceptions of law enforcement efforts.
Aim 2. To conduct in-depth interviews with law enforcement personnel, community advocates, parents, and youth in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Columbus, and Nashville to establish the similarities and differences with respect to how activities involving radicalization and trafficking emerge, develop and impact the community, any convergence issues between the two crime types, and how they are addressed through prevention or intervention activities. Aim 3. To design specific community practice strategies for prevention and intervention with radicalization and trafficking in community contexts through convening a series of regional and national workshops with practitioners, advocates, policymakers, and academics based on the findings from Aims 1 and 2. Preliminary findings demonstrate areas of risk convergence, practices convergence, and recommended convergent practices.

Author

• Stevan Weine, University of Illinois at Chicago