National Police, U.S. ICE to swap info on deportees

Washington.- Dominican Republic’s National Police and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday agreed to exchange information about sentences in prisons of deported Dominicans.

Dominican National Police chief Manuel Castro and ICE director Sarah Saldaña signed the agreement at Homeland Security Dept headquarters in Washington, accompanied by several senior US officials.

Saldaña said the agreement improved bilateral relations between the two countries and demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the security of communities.

"When it comes to sharing what affects national security and public safety, there can be no international barrier in the exchange of information," Saldaña said.

The agreement was the result of an ICE initiative, through its ERO Dept., in charge of capturing and deporting aliens who have committed crimes.

ICE, which deported 315,943 foreigners in 2014, has similar agreements with Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, says a statement from the law enforcement agency.

Since October 1, 2009, ERO captured and repatriated 720 foreign fugitives from different countries who were hiding in the United States and were wanted in their countries for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, rape, fraud, domestic violence and kidnapping.