Nearly 100 illegal immigrants with criminal records were arrested last week in Florida during a massive roundup by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that targeted violent criminals, sex offenders and drug traffickers.
A total of 95 arrests were made during the operation, including 25 in Miami-Dade, eight in Broward and 13 in Palm Beach County, the ICE said Monday, calling it a "very successful operation."
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations' arrests included 85 men and 10 women from 22 different nations, including countries in Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Among the bad guys rounded up were a 38-year-old Dominican Republic native who was living in Miami Lakes with convictions for second-degree attempted murder, burglary and child abuse.
"It's kind of scary you know, because Miami Lakes is always safe," said mom Liz Bernal.
Other neighbors praised the arrests.
"If they committed a crime here and they're not here legally, they do need to go back where they came from," said Miami Lakes teacher Juana Garcia. "You see some people coming from other countries like my parents did and working hard. Then you see other people that come here just to take advantage of the system and it's just not right."
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In Apopka, ICE nabbed a 25-year-old Mexican national and gang member convicted for cocaine possession.
"Arresting convicted criminals and immigration fugitives is a top priority for ICE ERO," Marc Moore, field office director for ICE ERO in Miami, said in a statement. “Those who come to the United States to prey upon our neighbors and communities will be prosecuted for their crimes and ultimately returned to their home countries."
