Illegal Immigration Sweep Nets More Than 3,100 Arrests; Six Captured in Nearby Cities

Federal agents arrested 206 immigration fugitives and convicted illegal immigrants in the Los Angeles area as part of a nationwide sweep that netted more than 3,100 arrests, including the capture of six individuals from nearby Buena Park, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood and Whittier, officials said Monday.

"The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE's ongoing commitment and focus on the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens and those that game our nation's immigration system,'' said Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton.

The six-day "Cross Check'' operation, which ended last Thursday, was the largest of its kind, and involved more than 1,900 ICE officers and agents, along with personnel from federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, according to ICE. Arrests occurred in all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

Of the 206 people arrested in the Los Angeles area, 106 had prior convictions for serious or violent crimes.

There were 124 arrests in Los Angeles County, 34 in Orange County, 15 in Riverside County, 14 in San Bernardino County, 10 in Ventura County and nine in Santa Barbara County.

Six were arrested in neighboring cities Buena Park (1), Hawaiian Gardens (2), Lakewood (1) and Whittier (2). 

More than 70 of the local arrestees have already been removed from the country. Among the other local arrestees were:

-- Veasna Uy, 34, a Cambodia national immigration fugitive living in Long Beach. Uy, who was convicted in April 2000 of manslaughter, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, remains in ICE custody pending removal from the U.S.

-- A twice-deported 43-year-old Mexican national living in Bell who has two prior convictions for possession of narcotics for sale. He has been turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service pending prosecution for felony re-entry after deportation.

-- A 42-year-old Salvadoran national living in North Hollywood who was convicted in 1994 of arson and sentenced to a year in jail. He was being held by ICE without bond pending a hearing before an immigration judge.

--With City News Service reporting.