Orange County OKs use of jails to hold immigrants
The Associated Press • July 20, 2010

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Orange County jails will house hundreds of detained immigrants under a new deal with the federal government that could bring the cash-strapped Sheriff's Department $30 million a year.

The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to rent 838 jail beds to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

They'll house immigrants who are awaiting deportation hearings.

The beds are at Theo Lacy Jail in Orange and James A. Musick facility in Irvine.

The city of Orange, which has raised concerns about the deal, will consider the issue next week.

The money will help the Sheriff's Department deal with a projected $65-million shortfall in next year's budget.

As part of the agreement, the department will renovate the prisons, at a cost of around $6 million.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/2 ... immigrants