Officials Announce Immigration Round-Up Success
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Posted: 5:05 PM Oct 9, 2007
Last Updated: 5:55 PM Oct 9, 2007
Reporter: Yunji de Neis, ABC News

Immigration officials in Washington announce the success of what they say is the largest immigration round-up in recent history.

While the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, known as "ICE," says many known criminals were caught in the crackdown, local officials across the country have sometimes been critical of the crackdown and its tactics.


Immigration and Customs agents spent the summer out in force, in one of the largest crackdowns of it's kind.

"As a result of 'ICE Surge 2007,' we arrested some of the worst of the worst," assured Julie Meyers, with Immigration and Customs.

Among thousands of illegal immigrants, agents also arrested more than 1300 gang members and associates in 23 cities, including New York, Boston, Miami, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Raleigh.

Local law enforcement who participated in the sweep say they were surprised to learn just how many criminal aliens had infiltrated their communities.

Sheriff hunter "We're an upscale community yet we are not unique. If my colleagues around the nation were to look, they would discover MS-13," explained Sheriff Don Hunter, of Collier County, Florida.

Authorities say those arrested belong to some of the most notorious and vicious gangs.

Twenty-six-percent of them had violent criminal histories.

"These violent transnationals feature many types of crime including murder, extortion, smuggling and kidnapping, just to name a few," Myers added.

Some have been deported and others will face justice in U.S. courts.

Since the Operation Community Shield began in 2005, more than 5000 criminal aliens have been arrested.

Authorities say the majority of those captured over the summer belong to the violent gang MS-13.

In an ABC News poll, 67-percent said the U.S. isn't doing enough to keep illegal immigration down.