More immigrants being detained in Arundel


July 18, 2009


The number of alleged illegal immigrants detained in Anne Arundel has jumped significantly in the past two years, according to the county. In 2008, the county made 959 referrals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, resulting in 234 detainers, or immigrants held in federal custody, after 826 referrals and 87 detainers in 2007. Through June of this year, the county has recorded 408 referrals and 170 detainers. County Executive John R. Leopold, a Republican, extended from 12 to 48 hours the amount of time that county police can hold a suspect on immigration charges, and in 2007 he issued an executive order requiring any contractor working for the county to sign an affidavit stating that the company does not hire illegal immigrants.

- Nicole Fuller

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