April 16, 2009
Report: NJ immigration directive wrongly used
The Associated Press

A new report claims that some New Jersey police officers are misusing a state directive that allows them to inquire about the immigration status of people arrested for serious crimes.

The Seton Hall University School of Law report claims police often wrongly ask the immigration status of those cited for traffic violations and other minor infractions.

The study made public this week found that only 1,417 people were charged with immigration violations out of 10,000 cases referred by New Jersey to federal immigration authorities.

Advertisement The state attorney general issued the directive in 2007 following the execution-style slayings of three college-bound friends in Newark. One of the suspects was an illegal immigrant.

Gov. Jon Corzine said recently the matter needs to be re-examined.

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