ICE Deports 5,800 Florida 2008

ICE Deports More Than 5,800 From Florida in 2008

MIAMI (AP) - U.S. immigration authorities say they've deported nearly 2,000 more illegal immigrants from Florida so far this year than they did in the same six-month period in 2007.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday that they deported 5,889 people from the state from January through June.

Authorities deported 3,942 people from Florida in the first six months of last year.

ICE attributes part of its success in identifying illegal immigrants to its program targeting inmates in federal, state and local custody. That program began in June 2007.

Authorities say 1,251 deportees this year had faced charges such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, money laundering, sex offenses and drug charges.