Immigration officials arrest 163 in N.Va.

By: Emily Babay 03/23/11 2:00 PM

Examiner Staff Writer | Follow her: @emilybabay

Federal immigration officials arrested 163 foreign nationals in Northern Virginia, including 130 with criminal records, authorities announced Wednesday.

The sweep was conducted Sunday through Tuesday and resulted in the arrests of 134 men and 29 women from 32 countries, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They were arrested on immigration violations, but 130 had criminal backgrounds, eight were fugitives wanted for immigration violations and three had previously been deported.

Some were in the country illegally, and others were legal permanent residents whose past convictions may make them eligible for deportation, ICE spokeswoman Cori Bassett said.

Those arrested include a 39-year-old Ecuadorian national in Arlington who has convictions for assault and rape of a child between 13 and 15 years old and a 49-year-old Salvadorean national in Woodbridge whose past includes hit-and-run, drunken driving and child abuse convictions, ICE officials said. Their names were not released because they were taken into custody on immigration offenses, not criminal charges.

Thirteen people were arrested in Alexandria, 11 in Arlington, 60 in Fairfax, 20 in Loudoun and 37 in Prince William.

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