Wolf Urges Chertoff to Fix Delays Picking Up Immigrants

posted 9:25 am Thu April 10, 2008

A Virginia congressman is urging Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to speed the transfer of illegal immigrants from Prince William County (web|news) 's crowded jail.

Republican Frank Wolf says he is concerned the jail could be forced to release illegal immigrants because federal agents have been slow to pick up the suspects facing deportation.

Jail officials say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are taking weeks to pick up the immigrants, rather than 72 hours under an agreement that went into effect in July.

ICE spokesman Ernestine Fobbs said in a statement that jail and federal officials met last week and are continuing to discuss the situation.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0408/510326.html