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Lack of funds and space frees suspects
Data show ICE releases alleged illegal immigrants, violent convicts
By SUSAN CARROLL

Aug. 1, 2009, 9:04PM

U.S. immigration officials have released from federal custody hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants accused or convicted of crimes, including homicide and sexual assault, because of a lack of space and funds, according to internal records.

The data, obtained by the Houston Chronicle through a Freedom of Information Act request, show that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials documented releasing suspects classified as “criminal aliensâ€