http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/16446729.htm

11:55 am | 49 caught in immigration sweep
STEVE LYTTLE
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com
Federal agents say they have arrested 49 immigration violators during a three-day operation in the Charlotte area that ended today.

The arrests were part of Operation Secure Streets, an ongoing effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Primary targets in this week's operation were people with prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, ICE officials said.

Of the 49 people arrested, 20 were taken into custody because of DUI charges. The others were either fugitives or foreign-born nationsl with other criminal convictions considered by ICE to be a violation of immigration laws.

Those violations ranged from indecency with a child, to assault and battery and domestic violence.

"Many of those arrested selfishly and recklessly got behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated, putting their lives and the lives of the public at risk," Felicia Skinner, acting field office director for the Atlanta-based Office of Detention and Removal, said in a news release.

"By finding and removing these criminals," she added, "we are able to greatly enhance public safety, while restoring integrity to our nation's immigration system."

Those arrested are from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

All of those arrested are in ICE custody, awaiting action on their cases.