Most illegal immigrants deported last year were criminals

WASHINGTON – The U.S.
deported nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants last year, and an increasing number
of them were convicted criminals, according to figures set for release Tuesday
by the Department of Homeland Security.

Deportations have been on the rise for the
past decade, and the 396,906 illegal immigrants deported in fiscal year 2011 is
the highest number yet, according to the figures.

Under the Obama administration, Homeland
Security issued new priorities to focus deportations on convicted criminals, people
who pose threats to national security and repeated border-crossers. Last year,
55% of those deported were convicted criminals, the highest percentage in
nearly a decade.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-10-18/deportations-criminals-homeland-security/50807532/1By Alan Gomez and Kevin Johnson — USA Today