Deportation program plays out in Whitfield


DALTON, Ga.—The number of immigration violators processed for deportation in Whitfield County through a federal program increased more than 30 percent in 2010, figures show.

Meanwhile, a study by the Washington, D.C.-based Migration Policy Institute shows 79 percent of people detained nationally for immigration violations were arrested for minor offenses or traffic violations, with 11 percent arrested for felonies or minor drug offenses.

Capt. Wes Lynch, who heads the Whitfield County program, said Wednesday the increase — 609 in 2010 compared with about 400 in 2009 — occurred because officers are becoming better trained in the program. Deportations make the county safer, remove repeat offenders and have led to fewer total arrests per year, he said.

“We are not deporting people for minor traffic violations. We are deporting people for being in the country illegally,â€