Panel to study Irving prisoner screening

IRVING -- City officials and opponents of the Irving Jail's stepped-up screening of prisoners have agreed to have a committee look at the program, which has led to the deportation of about 300 illegal immigrants a month. City officials met Tuesday afternoon with Hispanic leaders who had accused the city of racial profiling, but they didn't come to a clear agreement on what the committee will do. City officials say no racial profiling is happening. Mayor Herbert Gears said that the committee was only "loosely agreed upon" and that he hopes it will look for ways to educate people about laws they may be unfamiliar with. Gears said many of those who have been deported were arrested on suspicion of driving without a license. Pro-immigrant activist Carlos Quintanilla said he wants the committee to consider a moratorium on Irving's Criminal Alien Program. Quintanilla is organizing a demonstration against the program to be held at 7 tonight at Irving City Hall.
-- Patrick McGee
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