NEW JERSEY, United States (CMC) — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says three Jamaicans have been arrested among 91 immigrants during a five-day immigration sweep in New Jersey.

ICE said the operation targeted “at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators.”

The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New Jersey Field Office.

Including the Jamaicans, the security officials arrested 30 Caribbean nationals: one person from Anguilla, three from Cuba, 14 from the Dominican Republic , two from Guyana three from Haiti, one from St Lucia and three from Trinidad and Tobago.

Others arrested were nationals of Bangladesh ,Cameroon,Colombia ,Ecuador, Egypt , El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala , Guinea and Venezuela.

ICE said among those arrested was a 24-year-old Jamaican national, who has convictions of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Lewdness.

A 23-year-old Anguillan national, who is a member of the “Bloods” gang, was also arrested.

It said of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 77 per cent were convicted criminals, and 70 per cent had prior felony convictions.

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of ERO Newark.

“This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety,” he added.“Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 91 fewer criminals in our communities.”

ICE said the immigrants “will go through removal proceedings before an immigration judge; or, for those under a final order of removal, arrangements will be made to remove them from the US.”

“US Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Frank Russo, Acting Director New York Field Office.

“It is through collaborative efforts that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”

ICE said some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, money laundering, driving under the influence (DUI), fraud, domestic violence, theft, possession of a weapon, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, kidnapping and illegal re-entry.