Jamaicans caught in immigration and customs sweep in Central Florida

The United Sates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has arrested a number of Caribbean nationals among 25 convicted criminals in a major immigration sweep in Central Florida.

ICE said the still unidentified Caribbean nationals were reportedly from the Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

It said that the other migrants were from Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Mexico, El Salvador, and Canada, and indicated that the sweep had targeted “criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety”.

In further outlining the nature of the operation, ICE said, “All encountered had criminal records, some were felony convictions for serious or violent offences, such as manslaughter, child abuse, robbery, false imprisonment, felony DUI (driving under the influence), hit and run, armed burglary, racketeering, as well as weapons and drug violations.”

Marc J Moore, field office director for the Miami ERO Field Office, which oversees all of Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, said “ICE prioritises convicted criminals and public safety threats for apprehension and removal”.

Last year, ICE said it deported 235,413 individuals.