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County mulls immigrant net
Deputies would be trained how to spot noncitizens

By Brenda Gazzar
Staff Writer

A couple dozen jail deputies could be trained and supervised by federal officials to identify booked individuals who may have violated immigration laws, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
The plan, which is being studied by Sheriff Gary Penrod, could result in better identification of inmates who are in the country illegally and increase reimbursement by the federal government for housing them, sheriff's spokesman Chip Patterson said.

It could also free up more jail space for U.S. citizens and other legal residents in custody, he said.

"We've been releasing certain nonviolent criminals, or I should say, inmates from custody, that the sheriff would like to keep behind bars, but we just don't have the room for them," Patterson said.

Currently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials -- the investigative arm of the federal Department of Homeland Security -- visit the county's jails on a regular basis, reviewing booking applications for potential illegal immigrants, Patterson said.

Since 1996, state and local law enforcement agencies have been able to apply specific immigration laws that are individually negotiated with ICE, which is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of suspected customs and immigration violations.

ICE is charged with training and supervising law enforcement in this area.

However, few agencies have taken advantage of the policy, and so far only 54 people -- all in the states of Florida or Alabama -- have undergone the required training and are qualified nationwide, said Manny Van Pelt, an ICE spokesman.

"The requirement is that the officers be supervised by ICE, not (be) full-time," Pelt said. "We have to know that they are not, for instance, doing racial profiling. ... The reality is it's very, very limited authority. It's just another tool."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and ICE recently agreed to train six of the department's civilian employees to process detainees' paperwork and determine which prisoners are subject to federal immigration law, Pelt said.

A broader Orange County Sheriff's Department proposal being considered under the same policy would enable some trained investigation and patrol deputies to identify whether criminal suspects have also violated a deportation order, and make arrests when needed.

"We're just trying to find more resources to fight bad guys," said Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jon Fleischman. "Congress will have to make the decision with the overall issue of the significant numbers of undocumented (immigrants)."

In Riverside County, undocumented persons are usually identified by employees when they enter the jail, and are then handed over to federal authorities once their jail time is completed, said Sheriff/Coroner Bob Doyle.

"I think it's important that they are held accountable," Doyle said. "If you send them back over there (to their home country), and don't hold them accountable for their crimes, then they'll be back over here committing more crimes."

Brenda Gazzar can be reached by e-mail Brenda.gazzar@dailybulletin.com