Senate agrees to illegal immigrant prisoner bill

Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2008 4:41 pm

RALEIGH (AP) — Illegal immigrants in North Carolina's prison system could be released early and deported under legislation approved by the Senate.

Senators agreed unanimously Tuesday to support the plan, which could free up an average of more than 250 prison beds a year.

Those prisoners that federal officials have promised to remove from the country at the end of their sentences are eligible.

Of those qualified prisoners, they must have served more than half of their sentence for nonviolent crimes like fraud or breaking and entering.

The bill filed by Democratic Sen. Tony Rand of Cumberland County now goes to the House for consideration.

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs...TAFF/190488461