Jail To Notify Federal Officials Of Foreign-Born Nationals
POSTED: 11:41 am EST January 19, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Lexington's jail is adding new procedures to notify federal immigration authorities if an inmate is identified as a foreign-born national.

Mayor Jim Newberry's announcement Friday is raising concerns among immigration attorneys and advocates.

They question the policy's fairness and said it could lead to racial profiling if proper safeguards aren't in place.

City officials said the new procedure will be fair and will help make the city safer.

Public Safety Commissioner Tim Bennett said that under the new procedure, officials will strive during the jail's booking process to determine where an inmate was born.

The city will notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Kentucky and send them any information collected if they identify an inmate who is a foreign-born national.
http://www.wlky.com/news/15091548/detail.html