Chicago - A Ghanaian plus Twenty-one alleged foreign gang members were arrested in the west and southwest suburbs this week during a five-day investigation targeting gang members, federal authorities announced Friday.

The arrests were part of Operation Community Shield, a national initiative whereby ICE partners with federal, state and local law enforcement to target transnational street gangs, according to an ICE release.

Eighteen of the 22 gang members arrested are from Mexico, two are from Guatemala, and one is from Ghana. They range in age from 18 to 40. Two were previously deported to Mexico and may face criminal prosecution for illegally re-entering the United States, according to the release.

They remain in ICE custody on administrative immigration charges pending deportation. Their names were not being released.

The multi-agency operation began April 17, and arrests were made in Bolingbrook, Joliet, Glendale Heights and Melrose Park. All 22 suspects are documented members or associates of the Vice Lords, Latin Kings, Latin PStones, Two-Sixers or Sureño 13s.

All have criminal histories that include arrests or convictions for a wide range of crimes, including aggravated battery to a peace officer, armed robbery, burglary, domestic battery, mob action, possessing marijuana with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the release.