Statewide immigration sweep yields 63 arrests (KOLD-AZ)

Statewide immigration sweep yields 63 arrests
Posted: Aug 12, 2010 3:12 PM

PHOENIX - In the largest sweep ever of its kind in the state, immigration agents arrested 63 convicted criminals and immigration fugitives Wednesday.

In Pima County, agents made 8 arrests.

The three-day sweep conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wrapped up Wednesday night.

Sixteen of the total 63 arrested were considered "immigration fugitives" because they were ordered by a court to leave the county but had failed to do so.

Agents have already deported 25 of the people arrested, a release detailed.

More than 60 ICE agents were involved in the operation, in addition to officers from the U.S. Marshals.

The operation dispatched the officers across the state, making arrests in Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Mesa, Tempe and Prescott.

"These are not people we want to see walking the streets here in Phoenix or in any other community in Arizona," ICE director John Morton said in a press conference Thursday.

At least 12 of people arrested are facing re-entry felonies that carries a penalty of 20 years in prison.

Among those arrested include a 55-year-old Mexican man who was convicted of selling meth in 2003. A 45-year-old Mexican woman convicted of fraud amounting to $820,000 was also arrested.

Those who were arrested but not being criminally prosecuted will be processed "administratively" for removal from the U.S. Arrestees who had outstanding orders of deportation are being removed immediately.

The rest will be held until they see an immigration judge.

More info on those arrested:

52 males
11 females
From 9 different nations including countries in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East