SC county cracks down on illegal immigrants

Associated Press - September 2, 2008 8:25 AM ET

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - Beaufort County authorities have identified 170 inmates in their jail as illegal immigrants.

The county is two months into a three-month crackdown on illegal immigrants. Federal agents have been at the jail to begin deportation proceedings against people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Sheriff P.J. Tanner tells The Island Packet of Hilton Head that the next step will be investigating companies suspected of hiring illegal immigrants.

Tanner says he has heard the crackdown has led a number of illegal immigrants to leave the area.

Community leader Juan Campos says the crackdown is breaking up families and creating fears that deputies are stopping suspected illegal immigrants for minor violations like having a car light out.
http://www.wbtv.com/global/story.asp?s= ... =Printable