Authorities announce 78 immigration arrests in state (AP c/o Colorado Springs Gazette)

Authorities announce 78 immigration arrests in state

June 21, 2011 12:14 PM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — Federal authorities say they have made 78 arrests in Colorado as part of a national crackdown on criminal aliens that the federal government says threatened public and national security.

There were 29 arrests in Denver, 13 in Aurora, seven in Commerce City and 29 others across the state.

The arrests included a 51-year-old Libyan man living in Denver who had been convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child and domestic violence.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made the arrests during a seven-day sweep in May, according to spokesman Carl Rusnok.

ICE officials said the goal was to arrest convicted criminal aliens and track down fugitives who were taking advantage of the U.S. immigration system.