Thread: Nevada High Court Justice Proposes Inmate Deportations

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Nevada High Court Justice Proposes Inmate Deportations

March 1, 2007 11:35 AM PST

A Nevada Supreme Court justice is meeting with prison, parole and pardons board officials to devise a plan to deport inmates held in Nevada prisons who were in the country illegally when they committed their crimes.

Justice Jim Hardesty says sending the inmates out of the U.S. could save the state about $10 million annually in housing costs at a time when Nevada's overcrowded prisons are reaching crisis levels.

But an expert in immigration law says the plan could result in the forced deportation of some inmates who might be allowed to stay in the country after their release because of their living situation or time in the U.S.

Vito de la Cruz is a federal public defender who handles deportation cases. He says that while Hardesty's plan could save the state money, it may mean deporting illegal immigrant felons who committed minor offenses such as drug possession, had lived in the state a long time, are married with children or have a job.


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Vito de la Cruz is a federal public defender who handles deportation cases. He says that while Hardesty's plan could save the state money, it may mean deporting illegal immigrant felons who committed minor offenses such as drug possession, had lived in the state a long time, are married with children or have a job.

I don't give a damn! They were here illegally to begin with. Being married, having gotten away with it for a long time, having children DOES NOT negate the fact that they committed a CRIME. Deport them NOW and KEEP THEM OUT! Maybe what we need is the death penalty for a second offense? Would that get their attention?

First time offenders don't typically get a prison sentence for "minor" offenses. Besides that, I'm not so sure drug possession is a minor offense (depends on the amount and circumstances sorrounding the arrest). There is a difference in someone getting caught with a joint and a brick of cocain!

With the border being what it is (open), I'm not so sure deporting these folks is such a good idea! Heck, we may as well turn them loose in Chicago because chances are they'll be right back.

Under what conceivable circumstances would someone who is already here illegally and then commits a crime serious enough to land him (or her) in prison be eligible to stay because of "their living situation"?