Thread: IL: Sheriff, we'll send them back, moves to deport 75 IA inm

Incredible times in Waukegan.


Sheriff: We'll send them back County moves to deport 75 illegal alien inmates

September 19, 2008
By Nicholas P. Alajakis nalajakis@scn1.com

WAUKEGAN -- A recent audit shows that more than 20 percent of inmates in the Lake County Jail are illegal immigrants, and Sheriff Mark Curran says his office is taking unprecedented steps to begin deportations.

The Sheriff's Office learned last month that 122 of its 637 inmates (21.5 percent) had either illegal or questionable status in the United States. With help from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, 75 of those inmates had immigration detainers placed on them, and will be eligible for deportation upon completion of their sentences, Curran said.

It's the first time the Sheriff's Office -- or any sheriff's office in Illinois -- has gotten the ball rolling on deportation of jail inmates, said Curran, who blasted the city of Chicago and the state for not taking what he feels is a strong enough stance against illegal immigration.

» Click to enlarge image
Thomas Delany Jr. ? tdelany@scn1.com Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran (center) talks about Immigration and Customs Enforcement as Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller looks on at a news conference Thursday in Waukegan.

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Foreign-born inmates in Lake county jail

Mexico 105

Poland 5

Puerto Rico 4

El Salvador 3

Canada 2

Honduras 2

Philippines 1

Columbia 1

Vietnam 1

Pakistan 1

Guatemala 1

Cuba 1

Source: Lake County Sheriff's Office. Information taken from August audit.

"As the sheriff of Lake County, I needed to assist the federal government in any way possible," Curran said. "I am able to say to these concerned and frustrated law-abiding citizens of Lake County that the Lake County Sheriff's Office is doing its part in stopping the terror inflicted by many of these illegal aliens."

The targeted immigrants face charges ranging from murder (7) to DUI (25).

The possible deportations come as the Sheriff's Office attempts to obtain 287(g) status from the federal government, which would allow specially trained deputies to begin deportation hearings on inmates convicted of violent crimes, said Wayne Hunter, Lake County's Homeland Security director. It could be two more years before the Sheriff's Office receives 287(g) status, but ICE's almost daily approval of new detainers goes a long way, Hunter said.

"We want to reduce crime, and that's everything that this is about," Hunter said.

There is also a chance to save a few bucks, because under the detainer program ICE is expected to supply reimbursement for inmates being held. At $72 a day per detained inmate, the cost could come out to $1.9 million a year for 75 identified inmates.

Whether the program will actually reduce crime is unknown, but Curran says there is precedent that shows it could. According to a congressional report, in early 2007 Prince William County, Va. -- which also featured about 21 percent illegal immigrants in its jail -- was granted 287(g) status. Within a year, the county had deported more than 1,000 illegal aliens and person-on-person crimes in the county dropped 19 percent.

That type of success speaks to the need to bring the program to Lake County, said Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller, who joined Curran on Thursday in promoting the deportation of illegal aliens who commit violent crimes.

"It's almost mind-boggling. We're not going to get anywhere in this country by ignoring the problem," Waller said.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article

I am so happy with our sheriff right now!!!! His office and jail is in Waukegan -this really should affect my town in so many positive ways. This week ICE was also in town and took away 20 criminals.

Now look at Chicago Mayor Daley's reply. Oh oh...


Daley defends Chicago's 'sanctuary' status
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September 19, 2008
NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley defended his city's stance on illegal immigration Thursday, hours after Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran blasted Chicago as a "sanctuary" for illegal immigrants.

In promoting the Sheriff Office's new deportation process for illegal immigrants, Curran told reporters that Chicago and the state don't do enough to prevent illegal immigration into this area.

"The city of Chicago, as well as the state of Illinois, has shown little interest in cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (officials), choosing instead to ignore the problem, or worse to pander to special-interest groups and their sympathizers," Curran said at a late-morning news conference.

» Click to enlarge image
Daley

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• Sheriff: We'll send them back County moves to deport 75 illegal alien inmates
Earlier in the day, Curran shared similar views on WLS radio. Responding to those comments, Daley said it is not the job of the Chicago Police Department to deport immigrants.

"Immigrants do not commit the high percentage of crime that sometimes those anti-immigrant groups (claim)," said Daley. "They're hard-working, family-oriented, very religious and (have a) commitment to the American dream."

In 1985, Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order prohibiting city employees from enforcing federal immigration laws. The move was to protest the federal government's decision to question people seeking city services and conduct random searches of city records in an effort to find undocumented immigrants.

Daley affirmed the executive order four years later and, in 2006, the City Council made the order a law.

An ICE spokeswoman said three federal agents are stationed at the Cook County Courthouse every weekday. They review arrest records of those born outside the United States. If they determine that an immigrant is here illegally, immigration puts a hold on them.

When asked about ruffling the feathers of other governmental bodies, Curran said it didn't bother him.

"I call it the way it is, and I'm not going to mince words because someone's feelings might get hurt," the sheriff said.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S2.article

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley defended his city's stance on illegal immigration Thursday, hours after Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran blasted Chicago as a "sanctuary" for illegal immigrants.

I guess Mayor Delusional is still under the firm control of the anchor babies running city hall. He won't be convinced of the harm being done by illegals until the taxpayers and family members victimized by the cost in lives and tax dollars start a mass exodus.

Congratulations FedUp, I know it's been a long time coming for your city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBE__Od8rgM

Here is the sheriff's press conference.

Thanks WhatMattersMost.

Oh mayor daley....

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