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ICE: Hundreds Of Illegal Immigrants Arrested In LA, San Diego Counties

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Federal immigration agents touted the successful completion Thursday of what they said is the largest operation ever to target criminal illegal immigrants.

KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports over 2,900 illegal immigrants were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during "Operation Cross Check".

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An estimated two-thirds of the nearly 300 immigrants taken into custody in Southern California live in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, according to ICE.

Robert Culley, ICE's acting field officer director in San Diego, said agents were prepared for any number of scenarios as they went from one raid to the next.

"You really don't know what you have until you arrive at a residence and make contact with the individuals there," said Culley. "In many cases, the people you deal with are cooperative, in other cases they may be uncooperative."

Many of those arrested during the week-long operation will be prosecuted, while others will be deported, said Culley.

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