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157,000 sent home in past year amid security concerns

A record 157,000 illegal immigrants were removed from the United States during the past year as U.S. authorities stepped up efforts to track down those who may pose security risks, the government said Tuesday. About half of those deported in the year ending Sept. 30 had criminal convictions, an increase of 6.6 percent over the previous year, while removal of illegal immigrants who have no criminal record increased by more than 10 percent, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said. Much of the increase came from targeting fugitive immigrants who failed to report for removal after receiving an order of deportation. The agency said it has pursued illegal immigrants more aggressively since it learned that terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 attacks exploited the immigration system. [more]