Over 2,000 Criminals Arrested In Nationwide ICE Operation
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Across the country, immigration agents have been rounding up criminals who are in the U.S. illegally.
The operation, called Cross Check, lasted five days and more than 2,000 people were arrested. In South Florida, 117 were taken into custody.
The people taken into custody were convicted of a wide range of crimes.
Many already served their sentences, but somehow were able to disappear before being deported.
Some were out on bond, others were awaiting sentencing and some were released from state prisons or local jails instead of being turned over to immigration agents.
"It can be convictions for murder, for rape, sex offenses, child pornography, robbery. It really runs the gamut of convictions, from significant aggravated felonies involving violence to significant misdemeanors involving DUI or under the influence of narcotics," said Marc Moore the Director Miami ICE Field Office.
Moore said the reason behind Operation Cross Check was to clear some dangerous criminals off the streets.
"We're taking community safety threats or public safety threats such as child predators, those individuals previously convicted for aggravated felonies involving violence, national security interests off the streets and out of our communities," said Moore.
Those who have been apprehended are being held in some type of federal facility. Most of them will be sent back to their home country.