12 arrests in immigration sweep; Accused felons among those detained.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Bill Fortier

A dozen illegal immigrants from Central Massachusetts were arrested recently in a six-day nationwide operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that was described as the largest sweep of its kind.

Three people were arrested in Worcester, one in Leominster, three in Milford, one in Hudson, one in Ayer, and three in Framingham, according to a statement from ICE. More than 3,100 people who were convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered fugitives or threats to national security were arrested as part of Operation Cross Check.

Ross Feinstein, ICE Northeast Region communications director, said he could not release the names of those arrested in the area.

A 24-year-old man described as a Kenyan national who was previously convicted of possession and distribution of illegal narcotics was arrested March 28 in Worcester, ICE said.

Mr. Feinstein said a second person arrested in Worcester is facing charges of distribution of cocaine, assault and larceny, and a third was arrested on non-criminal immigration violations.

A Worcester police official said the local department was not involved in the arrests.

The three people arrested in Milford were wanted on a variety of immigration charges. One also faces an assault charge and another was taken in on a previous charge of resisting arrest.

The Leominster person is facing non-criminal fugitive charges. The person arrested in Hudson was wanted on a drunken driving charge.

The Framingham and Hudson arrests involve various immigration violations, Mr. Feinstein said.

Deportation proceedings will begin on all the people arrested during the six-day operation, according to Mr. Feinstein.

A total of 145 convicted criminal aliens and immigration fugitives, including 70 in Massachusetts, were arrested in New England by ICE, according to the press release.

The most severe cases included murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking and sex crimes against minors, ICE said.

The sweep included...