Part 3 of 5 The Mexican Mafia (Spanish: Mafia Mexicana [ma'fia mexi'kana]), also known as La eMe (Spanish for the letter M), is a Mexican American highly-organized, ruthless crime organization in the United States.[1][4] Despite its name, the Mexican Mafia did not originate in Mexico and is entirely a US criminal prison organization. Sureños, including MS-13 and Florencia 13,[16] use the number 13 to show allegiance to the Mexican Mafia. M is the 13th letter of the alphabet. Law enforcement officials report that La eMe is the most powerful gang within the California prison system.[17] Government officials state that there are currently 155--300 official members of the Mexican Mafia with around 990 associates who assist La eMe in carrying out its illegal activities in the hopes of becoming full members.[7] Sureño street gangs and the Mexican Mafia are almost ethnically homogenous, that is, they consist of almost entirely of Hispanic members. When Sureños enter correctional facilities, they are required to put aside their rivalries and obey the Mexican Mafia or suffer possible lethal consequences. "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."