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Plan would force jails to start deportations for illegal immigrants
By TIM MCGLONE , The Virginian-Pilot
© July 25, 2007
Last updated: 3:13 PM



RICHMOND -- Virginia sheriffs and jail administrators would be required to initiate deportation proceedings against suspected illegal immigrants under a proposal announced today by the State Crime Commission's illegal immigration task force.


The plan, which would need General Assembly approval, would force jail officials to begin the deportation process instead of waiting for federal immigration agents to decide whether to take custody of the suspect. Currently, some jails are more proactive than others in alerting federal authorities of suspected illegal immigrants.


"It does very little good for Virginia Beach to have one policy and Norfolk to have a completely different policy," Sen. Ken Stolle, vice chairman of the commission and a task force member, said at the panel's second meeting.


The task force was formed earlier this year following the double-fatal crash in Virginia Beach that authorities say was caused by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. The driver, Alfredo Ramos, had prior convictions for drunken driving and being drunk in public, but his name was never forwarded to immigration officials.


Only a handful of Virginia sheriffs departments participate in a voluntary federal program that trains deputies to recognize illegal immigrants and initiate the deportation process. The plan announced today would make that program mandatory for every jail in the state.


Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told the panel they could not guarantee the financing and bed space that would be necessary if every jail in the state joined the program.

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