www.bradenton.com

Posted on Fri, Sep. 30, 2005

Illegal aliens arrested in Florida 'Clean Sweep' operation


Associated Press

MIAMI - Authorities arrested 99 people from 29 countries in a weeklong operation targeting alien fugitives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Friday.

Many of those arrested in Operation Clean Sweep had criminal convictions for violent crimes, officials said. Some had allegedly evaded capture for years.

The operation was conducted by agents in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando.

"Operation Clean Sweep is part of our continued mission to keep our communities safe by removing dangerous criminal aliens from our streets," said Michael Rozos, ICE field office director for detention and removal in Florida.

In Florida so far this fiscal year, 1,075 fugitive aliens have been arrested, with the help of state and local authorities. During the last fiscal year, ICE removed 160,000 aliens throughout the United States.