US DHS deports nearly 2,000 Dominicans in 12 months

Washington.- USimmigration authorities deported 227,038 undocumented immigrants -of which nearly2,000 are Dominicans- in fiscal 2015 ended September, says data released Wednesdayby the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Immigration and CustomsEnforcement (ICE) conducted 235,413 migratory sweeps during fiscal year 2015,of which 227,038 were deported and 8,375 were undocumented people who returned totheir country voluntarily.

The number ofdeportations carried out by ICE this fiscal year declined from the previousperiod, when the same agency deported 315,943 individuals.

According to thereport, the undocumented immigrants returned to 181 countries of origin, mostlyto Mexico (146,132), followed by Guatemala (33,249), El Salvador (21,920),Honduras (20,309), Dominican Republic (1,946 ), Ecuador (1305) and Colombia(1,154).

Of the 235,413deportations by ICE and voluntary returns, 91% have criminal records, making ita major offensive against crime over the previous year, when the number ofarrests increased by 86%, the DHS officials said in a press statement.