GA, Carolinas lead in deportations

Federal officials say there was a 63 percent increase in illegal immigrants deported from Georgia and the Carolinas in the 12 months ending in October. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Atlanta Field Office of Detention and Removal carried out a record 17,955 deportation orders, compared with 11,006 the previous year. The agency counted them Thursday among more than 40,000 individuals processed in the three states during the 2008 fiscal year. With help from state and local authorities, ICE says it identified 9,182 criminal aliens who were incarcerated. In addition, it began removal proceedings against 7,000 criminals in state, local and federal jails and prisons, an increase from 3,722 in 2007.

(Associated Press)