Local deportations up 37%
DAN HORN

Immigration agents set another record this year when they deported more than 4,000 illegal aliens from Ohio and Michigan, a 37 percent increase over last year.

The jump in deportations mirrors a national trend toward annual increases since at least 2003, when U.S. immigration enforcement was overhauled in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Nationwide, deportations are up about 34 percent since last year, climbing from 204,000 to 273,000.

Immigration officials say the increase is the result of greater emphasis on enforcement, the creation of special teams to pursue fugitives, bigger detention facilities and speedier legal proceedings.

“Primarily, it’s because of enforcement efforts,â€