By SUSAN FERRECHIO • 5/5/16 3:46 PM

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley wants to know why the federal government has not expanded a program that would let local officials help remove criminals living in the United States illegally.

In a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah R. Saldana, Grassley questioned the federal government's lagging approval process for local jurisdictions seeking the authority to perform the functions of federal immigration agents under a program known as 287(g).

"Changes made in recent years have made it difficult for law enforcement to participate, and the fact is, the department has refused to approve applications for 287(g) authority," Grassley wrote to Saldana. "The Department of Homeland Security should enter into more 287(g) agreements, under both the jail and task force models, and should, to the greatest extent possible, encourage jurisdictions to apply."

Grassley's letter followed a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on April 28, at which Saldana told the panel she is trying to expand the program and has "begged" jurisdictions not to withdraw from it. The Republican-led committee held the hearing to determine why the agency in 2015 had removed the fewest illegal immigrants in seven years.

Saldana pointed to a lack of resources.

Grassley wants Saldana to explain why a list of applications from local jurisdictions seeking 287(g) authority have not been approved.

"The Department of Homeland Security should enter into more 287(g) agreements, under both the jail and task force models, and should, to the greatest extent possible, encourage jurisdictions to apply," Grassley wrote.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gr...rticle/2590515