(AP) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has talked tough on immigration enforcement and cracking down on the MS-13 street gang in a speech to law enforcement officials on Long Island.

The attorney general's appearance Friday comes amid a spate of violence in two communities near the federal courthouse where he spoke in Central Islip. The bodies of 11 people have been found in parks and vacant lots since last September. Police believe the killings are the work of MS-13.

Sessions said the Trump administration is standing firm on its commitment to enforce immigration laws. He also said he is committed to helping law enforcement battle the street gangs.

He said the killings on Long Island are an assault on law and safety "and we're not going to let it happen."