Aug 15, 5:46 PM EDT

Tucson chief revises illegal immigrant policy

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Tucson's police chief is revising his department's policy on dealing with illegal immigrants officers encounter.

Sgt. Fabian Pacheco says Chief Kermit Miller's new policy is designed to protect victims and witnesses while giving officers solid direction about when to call federal immigration agents.

Victims, witnesses and people stopped for minor driving offenses will never be asked about their immigration status. Pacheco says the old policy allowed that and some victims ended up being deported.

Suspects in minor criminal cases who receive citations will be held briefly and immigration agents called. They'll be released if federal agents don't arrive in about 20 minutes.

Those arrested for serious crimes will always be questioned about their status.


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