Homeland Security statistics released Tuesday show a decrease in border arrests and an increase in deportations of "criminal aliens," according to a report in the Washington Post.
U.S. border agents made 310,531 arrests in fiscal 2017, which ended Sept. 30, a 24 percent decline from 2016 and the fewest overall since 1971. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement deported 67,859 "criminal aliens" during fiscal 2017, a 12.5 percent increase from 2016.
Arrests by deportation officers soared, with ICE officers making 143,470 arrests, compared to 114,434 a year earlier.
President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign promised a crackdown on illegal immigration, and his hard-nosed approach has produced big numbers, said ICE temporary director Tom Homan.
"This president, like him or love him, is doing the right thing," Homan told reporters at a news conference in Washington.
"A 45-year low in border crossings? That's not a coincidence," Homan said. "That's based on this president and his belief and letting the men and women of ICE and the Border Patrol do their job."
Homan said he wants an increase in workplace enforcement operations next year.
"We've got to get rid of these magnets for immigration," he said.
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