El Paso County to check inmate immigration status

Posted: Aug 10, 2009 03:40 PM CDT

Updated: Aug 10, 2009 03:40 PM CDT





EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Anyone arrested in El Paso County will now have their identities checked with federal immigration databases to determine their immigration statuses.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Tuesday that local authorities have been checking the immigration statuses of all those arrested and booked in the jail since June.

Immigration officials are looking for criminal immigrants who have committed serious crimes, including murder, rape and kidnapping.

El Paso County is among seven Texas counties to check all jail inmates for immigration statuses under the U.S. Homeland Security department's new "Secure Communities" program.



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