ICE roundup nets 2,900 criminal immigrants

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- More than 2,900 immigrants with criminal convictions have been rounded up nationwide in recent days, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

The arrests were part of a weeklong "Cross Check" enforcement operation that involved more than 1,900 ICE officers and agents, the agency said Wednesday.

"The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE's ongoing commitment and focus on the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens and those that game our nation's immigration system," ICE Director John Morton said in a release. "Because of the tireless efforts and teamwork of ICE officers and agents in tracking down at large criminal aliens and fugitives, there are 2,901 fewer criminal aliens in our neighborhoods across the country."

ICE said more than 1,600 of those arrested had felony convictions -- including manslaughter, attempted murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, child abuse, sexual crimes against minors and aggravated assault.

Of the total, 681 were in the United States despite having been ordered to leave.