Posted June 5, 2007

Brown County report: Detention of illegal aliens up

Sheriff's Department cites improved relationship with feds

By Tony Walter
twalter@greenbaypressgazette.com


Brown County law enforcement officials say an improved relationship with Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents has led to a more proactive approach to dealing with illegal immigrants who are arrested here.


According to a report prepared by the sheriff's department, immigration holds have been placed on 30 people this year, with all being turned over to federal authorities for further investigation and, in many cases, deported.


"We have a re-established relationship with ICE," said Lt. Phil Steffen. "All along, we've addressed the alien issue here, but what we're doing now is more effective because we have a go-to guy (agent) whom we report to when we place holds."


Federal officials transport suspected illegal immigrants to the Dodge County Correctional Facility or to a federal facility in Chicago, Steffen said.


"There was limited contact with ICE in 2006," said Chief Deputy John Gossage, noting that there were just 12 immigration holds in all of last year. "But since February, we interact with them about two times a week. This comes at a time when there is rising community interest in the issue."


The report on immigration holds will be presented to the county's Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday.


Committee Chairman Harold Kaye said he requested the report to show the public that Brown County has been active in addressing the illegal immigration issue.


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