It seems that the collaboration of the federal authorities with local corrections systems has been a fruitful one in dealing with the illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. This collaboration has led to the increase of deportation rate, which is a promising start for the US authorities.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that during the 12-month period ended September 30, approximately 164,000 illegal criminals were placed in deportation proceedings. It is a significant increase, in comparison to the previous year, when the agency managed to place in proceedings only 64,000 immigrants.

Moreover, the number of this year’s deportations is expected to rise to 200,000, the agency said.

Deportation regards two groups of people, the Washington Post reports: illegal immigrants who might have been convicted, but the immigration authorities were not notified, and the legal immigrants, whose visas and resident permits are being revoked due to criminal convictions.

The U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement initiated in 2003 the Fugitive Operations Program, meant to find, arrest and deport those illegal immigrants who disregard the laws of the country.

Julie L. Myers, the assistant secretary of homeland security and head of the ICE, said that she intends to extend the supervision system by using new technology and relationships to make sure that the immigrant wrongdoers, once arrested, are not released from the detention institution.

“If you ignore a judge's order of removal, ICE will find you, arrest you, and you will be returned to your home country,” Julie L. Myers said Tuesday.

The government will raise by 25 percent the fines against the employers who hire illegal immigrants, officials said Friday. ICE has set fines ranging from $275 to $11,000 depending on the gravity of the offence. Some employers could face prison for at least six months if they violate immigration laws, Access North Georgia reports.

Meanwhile, activists are planning new demonstrations. Jorge Mujica, one of the chief organizers of the March 10 Coalition, said that next month a “1,000-mile march” is planned to start from St. Paul to Washington, via Chicago.