FLORIDA, United States (CMC) – The United Sates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has arrested a number of Caribbean immigrants among 25 convicted criminals in a major immigration sweep in Central Florida.

ICE said that the unidentified Caribbean nationals were from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

ICE said that the other migrants were from Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Mexico, El Salvador, and Canada and that the sweep targeted “criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.

“All encountered had criminal records, some were felony convictions for serious or violent offences, such as manslaughter, child abuse, robbery, false imprisonment, felony DUI (driving under the influence), hit and run, armed burglary, racketeering, as well as weapons and drug violations,” ICE said.

Marc J Moore, field office director for the Miami ERO Field Office, which oversees all of Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, said “ICE prioritises convicted criminals and public safety threats for apprehension and removal”.

Last year, ICE said it deported 235,413 individuals.