The US Government has deported a record number of illegal migrants this year.
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07 October 2010
US immigration deports record number of illegal immigrants
In the past year the US Government has deported a record number of unauthorized immigrants - more than 392,000, about half of whom were convicted criminals.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said removals during the fiscal year ending September 30 included more than 1,000 murderers, nearly 6,000 sex offenders, 45,000 drug offenders and 28,000 drunk drivers.
Last year a total of 389, 834 people were deported.
The Department of Homeland Security has a new emphasis of using immigration enforcement as a crime-fighting tool – and the percentage of criminals deported was up 35 per cent on 2009.
"It has been another record-breaking year at ICE - one that has seen ICE enforce the law at record levels, and in sensible, firm and thoughtful ways," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Officials have also stepped up audits of employers suspected of using unauthorized immigrants as workers.
Immigrants who overstay their US Visas or enter the country without authorization are not considered criminals; unauthorized immigration is an administrative violation.
The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their ESTA application to the US Embassy.
