Nearly 2,000 suspected illegals in Pr. William sent to feds
By: David Sherfinski
Examiner Staff Writer
October 14, 2009
Prince William County has turned over about 2,000 suspected illegal immigrants to the federal government since July 2007, the county jail superintendent said Tuesday.
The county jail has issued 2,041 federal detainers and has transferred 1,923 inmates to Immigration and Customs Enforcement from July 2007 through Sept. 30, said Col. Peter Meletis, superintendent of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.
Under a new agreement with ICE, the county will target illegal immigrants who commit serious, "Type 1" crimes, such as murder and armed robbery.
"We are confident that we will be able to continue to operate as we have in the past under this [agreement]," county Police Chief Charlie Deane said. "Overall, I don't think these changes will significantly [change] how we operate. In reality, 287(g) is a small part of the police department" program.
However, there will be some slight changes in the detention portion of the 287(g) enforcement program, which allows local law enforcement officials to enforce some federal immigration laws, Meletis said.
For example, if a suspect enters the jail on a robbery charge and is found to be in the country illegally, a federal detainer would be placed on him. But if that person was charged with a less serious crime and has not encountered ICE previously, he most likely would be released to appear in federal court, Meletis said.
"[ICE is] pretty well focused on those [serious criminals], but will take the [Type] twos if they have the resources," he said. Type 2 crimes include driving under the influence, fraud and weapons offenses.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large, said the new federal directive was "disappointing," arguing that illegal immigrants who commit minor crimes can move on to more serious ones.
"[It's] common sense -- if you're an illegal alien and you commit a crime, you should be deported," he said.
The new agreement took into account a March report from the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, which criticized the 287(g) program for lacking "key internal controls." It also requires participating jurisdictions to meet annually with ICE to provide updates.
