PHILADELPHIA, United States (CMC) – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says several Jamaicans were arrested in an operation in Pennsylvania that targeted criminal immigrants, according to officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Arrests were also made throughout Delaware and West Virginia.

The number of Jamaicans arrested was not disclosed, however, the ICE said all of those arrested have been convicted of crimes in the United States, or fell within the ICE’s enforcement priorities for deportation.

Convictions include corruption of a minor, child pornography offences, indecent assault, robbery, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, driving under the influence, cocaine and heroin possession, and felony fraud.

In addition to the Jamaicans, nationals of Mexico, Uruguay, Kenya, El Salvador, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Argentina, Liberia, Honduras, Brazil, Ghana, India, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Bosnia, and Germany were also arrested.

Among the summaries of some of immigrants arrested is a 39-year-old Jamaican with prior convictions for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

ICE said he was arrested on May 6 at a Philadelphia residence after being released from local custody and remains in custody pending a hearing before a federal immigration judge.

In fiscal year 2015, ICE said it conducted 235,413 deportations nationwide.

It said 91 per cent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offence.