To move from being a street gang to being organized crime and a secret society using covert influence, a group needs to gain associates in government. This is where the Russians have a distinct disadvantage in the states. Due to the fact that they originate in an enemy country, even our corrupt officials here are probably loathe to become entangled in relationships with that. Good sense would tell a person right away that as soon as they arrive in America, they might already be agents of a foreign official.
Who wants double agents?