Deane presents expanded immigration check proposal


Associated Press - September 18, 2007 5:35 PM ET

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) - Prince William County Police Chief Charlie Deane is giving county supervisors details today on his plan to expand checks on the immigration status of crime suspects.

The county currently checks the status of people suspected in gang activity or serious crimes. Under Deane's proposal, police will check the status of suspects in traffic violations, shoplifting or other misdemeanors if there is probable cause to believe they are in the country illegally and if it will not increase the amount of time they are detained.

Police won't check the status of victims and witnesses.

The proposal comes in response to July resolution that calls for public services to be denied to illegal immigrants and for police to expand immigration checks.

The immigrant advocacy group Mexicans without Borders says the proposal makes it close to impossible for police to avoid racial profiling. It also says the plan will break the relationship between the immigrant community and the police department.

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