New York, NY —

Federal immigration officials say a crackdown on illegal immigrants is leading to more arrests and deportations in New York and New Jersey. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: In New Jersey, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported more than 4100 people during the last budget year. That's 25 percent more compared to 2007 and slightly more than the national average.

In the New York metro area, which includes Nassau, Suffolk and 7 northern counties, the number of deportations actually went down about 26 percent to just over 1900 people. But the New York field office says the number is deceiving because many deportees get arrested and transferred and don't get counted as a result. ICE has also increased efforts to identify federal prisoners eligible for deportation.

In New Jersey, more than 4500 were notified they would be taken into ICE custody after serving their sentences, more than double the previous year. In New York City, 10,000 prisoners were notified -- a 45 percent increase.

ICE says the results across the country reflect significant progress towards securing the borders. But immigrant advocates say the aggressive approach is scaring immigrant families and driving them further underground.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez