L.A. County inmates to have immigration status checked as part of new program

LA Times
August 27, 2009 | 11:11 am

All inmates booked into jails throughout Los Angeles County will have their immigration status checked beginning today, but federal officials said they don’t have the resources to deport all illegal immigrants with criminal records who are identified.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will prioritize illegal immigrants with prior convictions for violent crimes, including murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery. Though immigration officials plan to assess every case individually, they said some with less serious criminal records may be released back into the community.

“The reality of the situation is that we don’t presently have the resources to respond to every single person,â€