ICE arrests more than 270 in Dallas-Fort Worth area this week

(7/20/07 - DALLAS, TX) -- Federal agents arrested 274 illegal immigrants over five days during raids in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Friday.

The operation, which began Monday and ended Friday, yielded illegal immigrants, people wanted by immigration authorities and immigrants with criminal records. Out of the 274 arrested, 99 had criminal convictions, ICE said.

"These operations are a critical element in removing threats to public safety," said Nuria T. Prendes, field office director for ICE's Office of Detention and Removal Operations.

Police in Dallas, Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Blue Mound along with the Dallas County constable, helped agents in the operation, according to an ICE statement.

Authorities detained people from Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nigeria, Romania and South Korea. Most were men, according to ICE.

Half of the 274 arrested have already been returned to Mexico, and the others were awaiting deportation proceedings, ICE said.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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