Jails across Arizona now checking immigration statusThe Associated Press | Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 8:47 am

PHOENIX — All 15 Arizona counties are now using a federal system to screen jail inmates for their immigration status.

Gila, Graham, Greenlee and La Paz counties began using a system U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is promoting nationwide on Tuesday. The Secure Communities program allows local officials to screen people being booked into jail for their immigration status and do an FBI criminal background check at the same time.

If a fingerprint check shows a suspect is a legal or illegal immigrant, ICE can place holds on them while it begins enforcement action.
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