LA Changes Policy on Deportation of Inmates
Over the last number of years, there has been a widespread effort amongst California cities to protect immigrants from deportation, even those convicted of minor crimes.
In keeping with this tradition, LA County banned federal immigration officials from their jails earlier this year. However, in the wake of two high profile murders allegedly committed by illegal immigrants with criminal records, California as a whole has seen a statewide shift toward stricter enforcement. As such, LA County has issued a new policy that will allow Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to interview inmates who have committed serious crimes, as well as all inmates who are being processed for release. Furthermore, ICE will be allowed to select some of these inmates for deportation based on the interviews. The new policy additionally requires the local sheriff’s department to give immigration officials a seven-day notice before certain inmates are released. But it also requires them to advise inmates who have been flagged by ICE of their right to legal counsel.
The local sheriff has issued a statement saying that the new policy is part of a countywide effort to balance public safety with community trust. However, immigrant rights activists have reacted negatively to the new policy, fearing that it demonstrates a reversal of course in a community that has traditionally been protective of its immigrants.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/24/us/los-angeles-rethinks-deportation-of-inmates.html
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