Published Thursday, December 13, 2007 10:57 PM PST

ICE finds 500 are illegal
Year’s results viewed as indication program was correct course of action; officials stress the agent, police work separately.
By Kelly Strodl

Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement first set up residence at the Costa Mesa City Jail, officials have identified more than 500 illegal immigrants who met the criteria to be deported, authorities said Thursday.

Out of the department’s 5,369 arrests between December 2006 and November of this year, 2,045 were held for interview by the ICE agent. And in that time, 520 illegal immigrants have been identified.

Roughly 45 arrestees are held on average each month on immigration detainers to ensure they make it into ICE custody upon their release from jail and face federal deportation hearings.

Some view the year’s results as a clear indication that this was the correct course of action for the city. Others see no change whatsoever, and still others are just tired of hearing about the issue.

Councilwoman Wendy Leece said it’s always good when the city’s resources are used to defend the law.

“This is just making the public safer by upholding the law,â€