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Authorities deport 99 immigrants living illegally in Florida


Federal officials say 67 in group had been convicted of crimes.


By Ruth Morris
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

September 30, 2006


Federal immigration authorities in South Florida recently deported 99 people -- many with criminal records -- to Haiti, Hungary, China and other countries, officials said Friday.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said 67 of the immigrants had been convicted of crimes, including rape, assault, fraud and drug violations.

U.S. officials deported the people to destinations as diverse as Indonesia, Nicaragua and Albania last week. The Miami field office deports immigrants from all over the state.

"Keeping our communities safe is our top priority," said Michael Rozos, field office director for detention and removal in Florida. "We will continue to remove those who have no legal right to remain in the United States."

Last week's deportees included Nicaraguan street gang member Jose Rodger Castilla-Arguello, 38, who had been convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer and several drug violations, the agency said.

Immigrants who are deported from the United States automatically are barred from re-entering the country for 10 years. If they return during that period and are caught, they could be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Last year, immigration officials deported a record-setting 160,000 people in the country illegally.

More than half had criminal records.

Ruth Morris can be reached at rmorris@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5012.