ICE arrests 16 illegal immigrants in Kan. sweep

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Immigration officials have arrested 16 illegal immigrants during a three-day sweep across Kansas targeting criminals and fugitives.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday the arrests occurred in Wichita and surrounding communities and in Liberal and Dodge City. Fourteen of the immigrants were from Mexico, with one each from Guatemala and El Salvador.

The agency says 11 of the men had prior convictions for crimes such as aggravated assault, aggravated battery, identity theft and domestic battery. Three were immigration fugitives who failed to leave the country as ordered. Two had re-entered the U.S. illegally after being previously deported.

ICE field office director Ricardo Wong says in a news release that such targeted enforcement operations focus resources on the most egregious offenders.

The operation concluded Thursday.