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TRIAD PROFILES IMMIGRANT VISAS
TO ALL IV PERSONNEL:
Membership in a Triad Society is now a permanent U.S. visa ineligibility under INA Section 212(a)(3)(A)(ii) because of the presumption that a Triad member is entering the U.S. to engage in unlawful activities.
From now on. we will screen all IV cases for possible triad members. You will play an important role at all stages of the screening process: identification, triad interview, and notification.
This information sheet is designed to assist you by summarizing the background of Hong Kong's triad members and outlining the telltale signs of triad involvement. This is meant to be a dynamic document which will evolve as our knowledge of triads increases. Your input is greatly appreciated.
BACKGROUND OF A TRIAD MEMBER
Triad members go through three main stages in their careers: youth gangs, street gangs, triad leadership:
Youth gang members (age 12 - 18) are primarily involved in juvenile delinquent activity and may have arrest records for petty theft and property damage. Not all youth gang members are triad members.
Street gang members (age 16 - 25) enforce control over a specific area of the city. They will live off the proceeds of prostitution, extortion and street level drug sales. They are inclined to violence to protect their territory. Some will be employed in jobs that permit them to carry out their illegal activities. Most are full-fledged members of organized triads. They often have unexplained wealth. These are the street fighters called blue lanterns and known by the numbers 49 who are led by Red Poles, called 426.
Triad Leaders have progressed beyond low level criminal activities to organize sophisticated illegal activities. They conceal their triad origins behind a shield of semi-legitimate business and are involved in international drug trafficking, alien smuggling and large scale extortion in addition to receiving benefits from the street gang level. They nearly always have unexplained wealth. Leaders are called White Fans (415), Straw Sandal (432). Incense Master and Vanguard (438) or Dragon Head (489).
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