Specter Calls For Deporting More Illegals Convicted Of Crimes
POSTED: 4:29 pm EST February 19, 2008
UPDATED: 4:50 pm EST February 19, 2008

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Sen. Arlen Specter said he wants to increase the number of illegal immigrants deported after being convicted of crime.

Pennsylvania's senior senator toured the Allegheny County jail Tuesday. The appearance was one of a series of stops the Republican is making at state and county prisons to address the financial burden of housing illegal immigrants who are convicted of crimes.

Specter said government statistics show these immigrants have a high rate of repeat offenses.

A 2006 Department of Homeland Security report found that substantial numbers of criminals who are in this country illegally are released from custody instead of being deported.

Specter said this creates a threat to public safety.

"We may have to find legislation to stop a situation where after they are in federal detention after they finish serving their sentences to be released back to the streets because of a threat to public safety," Specter said.
http://www.nbc10.com/politics/15345779/detail.html