ICE officials arrest 42 people in R.I.

PROVIDENCE -- Federal immigration authorities have arrested 42 people from South America who were allegedly in the country illegally.

In a written statement, officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the arrests were made Wednesday and Thursday during an operation that focused on suspected immigration violators in Newport and Middletown.

Of those arrested, 33 are subject to immediate deportation because they previously ignored court orders to leave the U.S. or returned to the country illegally after being deported.

The remaining suspects have been charged with immigration violations and must appear in court.

Authorities said they came from Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico.