3,100 arrested in 6-day immigration sweep

Federal agencies combined last week to arrest more than 3,100 illegal immigrants in a six-day sweep dubbed “Cross Check.” The operation, led by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents, rounded up 2,834 convicted criminals that spanned all 50 states, ICE said.

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By Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

The Obama administration has come under fire by some, including Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, for being too lenient on some of the 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally. The administration has also faced criticism from human rights groups, including the National Council of La Raza, who claim that ICE continues deporting illegal immigrants whose sole crime has been crossing into the country illegally.

ICE Director John Morton said Monday the administration is performing the proper balancing act by setting records each year for the total number of illegal immigrants deported – nearly 400,000 last year – but focusing more and more on dangerous illegal immigrants rather than otherwise law-abiding families.

“Contrary to the accusations of some, we are not refusing to enforce the law, nor are we targeting families and low-priority cases,” Morton said during a press conference announcing the results of the operation.?

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