Aug 14, 2007 7:58 am US/Mountain

Rep. Says Utah Needs More Immigration Officers
CEDAR CITY Utah Rep. Jim Matheson says there aren't enough Immigration and Customs Enforcement staff to handle the workload in southwestern Utah.

In a letter sent to the secretary of Homeland Security, Matheson asked that ICE staffing be increased for that part of the state. He says there are only four agents working a seven-county area that is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country.

ICE officials say they are aware of the problem and are working to alleviate some of the pressure by next year.

Matheson's letter comes after he received complaints from St. George police among others.

Matheson claims that the telecommunications system which officers use to determine a person's immigration status is inadequate. He says it is not uncommon for officers to wait up to four hours for an answer to an inquiry.

He also says if a person is found in violation of immigration law, they are often released because of understaffing.

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_226100016.html