WASHINGTON ? Nearly 300,000 illegal immigrants have been deported by the United States since the fiscal year began October 1, and the total for the 2009 calendar year hit a record 389,834, official figures showed Thursday.

Data from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) showed 292,663 deportations so far in the fiscal year, including 142,526 cases linked to criminal activity.

The figures showed the administration of President Barack Obama has been toughening its position on deportations as it faces political pressure to keep out illegals but also from the Hispanic community to reform immigration and avoid breaking up families.

The data was released as a legal battle heated up over a new law in Arizona that would allow police to question persons suspected of being illegal.

A court has suspended key portions of the law following a challenge from the Obama administration but an appeal is pending.

Obama has pledged a comprehensive immigration reform law that would help an estimated 11 million undocumented people in the United States but Congress has failed to act on the matter.