According to Dominican ambassador before the U.S. government, Bernardo Vega, in 1997 the Dominican Republic received 2,627 deported Dominicans, of which 1,942 were labeled as "delinquents." This is an increase of 33% over 1996 statistics. Only Mexico received more deported delinquents last year. The U.S. deported 85,637 Mexicans in 1997, of which 38,819 had violated U. S. laws. Other affected nations are El Salvador, which received 1,521 delinquents; Colombia, 1,480; Jamaica, 1,206: and Honduras, 1,088. The Dominicans who return with the advanced crime skills acquired in the more sophisticated U.S. streets, particularly those of New York City, have had an effect on the crime rate in the D.R., and have been signaled out as responsible for an increase in violent crimes here. The Police has announced a hard approach in an attempt to impede the continuation of criminal activities in the D.R.
