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3 illegal immigrants agree to leave for Mexico

BOSTON—Three of 31 janitorial workers arrested during immigration raids at Rhode Island courthouses in July have agreed to voluntarily return to Mexico.

A federal immigration judge in Boston on Wednesday granted voluntary departure to the three men, all Mexican natives.

Under voluntary departure, the men must leave the United States at their own expense by Jan. 1 or face deportation.

Two other men arrested during the July 15 raids, one from Mexico and one from Guatemala, told the judge they will request to stay permanently in the United States because of potentially threatening situations in their home countries.

Hearings for some of the others are scheduled for later this month.

All of those arrested worked for two state contractors that have since been fired.