NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Several Caribbean nationals are among a number of illegal immigrants detained during a six-day sweep by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency earlier this month.

Officers from the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) said the Caribbean nationals from Antigua and Barbuda; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago were among 225 people nabbed in the operation in New York City, and the suburbs of Long Island and the Hudson Valley for violating US immigration laws.

ICE said that of those arrested, more than 180 were convicted criminals or had criminal charges pending, more than 80 had been issued a final order of removal and failed to depart the United States, or had been previously removed from the United States and returned illegally.

It said several had prior felony convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as child sex crimes, weapons charges, and assault, or had past convictions for significant or multiple misdemeanours.

“ICE continues to face significant obstacles with policies created by local officials, which hinder cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement. Yet, with the tireless efforts of the men and women of ICE, this operation was a great success,” said Thomas R Decker, field office director for ERO New York.

“The fact is that a so-called ‘sanctuary city’ does not only provide refuge to those who are here against immigration law but also provides protections for criminal aliens who prey on the people in their own communities by committing crimes at all levels,” he added.

Ice said among those arrested is a 56-year-old Haitian national with previous convictions for second degree manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.

It added that a 39-year-old Jamaican national, a registered sexual offender with convictions of criminal possession of a loaded firearm and attempted rape had also been detained.

A 58-year-old, Trinidadian national, who was twice removed from the United States, was arrested, ICE said, noting that it is focusing on removing individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security.

“However, ICE no longer exempts classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention; and, if found, removable by final order, removal from the United States.”