More illegal immigrants removed from state

Associated Press - December 31, 2008 8:15 AM ET

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Federal officials say the number of illegal immigrants removed from Oklahoma and the Dallas area has increased by 21%.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Services spokesman Tim Counts says 16,370 people were deported during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

That's up from 13,544 deportations during the previous fiscal year.

And Counts says 221,000 illegal immigrants have been found in jails in the U.S. compared with 161,000 in the previous year.

He says task forces for border security and training for local law enforcement agencies is helping identify more illegal immigrants.

Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
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