Thread: TN: Metro Jail Could Hold Illegal Immigrants Longer

Metro Jail Could Hold Illegal Immigrants Longer

July 27, 2007 06:03 AM PDT



NASHVILLE, Tenn. - If a new federal program is approved today, Davidson County will be able to hold illegal immigrants a little longer.

According to officials, currently they only have 48 hours to figure out someone's legal status and then set a bond hearing. Under this new federal program the Metro Jail would have more time to figure out if someone is a legal or illegal citizen.

Without the new program illegal immigrants can only be held in the Metro Jail for 48 hours before INS officials move them to a federal facility. In a federal facility the illegal immigrants are given a bond hearing to determine whether they can be released - pending a deportation hearing.

In exchange for holding the immigrants, the sheriff's department would receive about $60 a day per detainee. The sheriff expects to hold about 25 to 50 at any given time.

The jail began checking immigration status of inmates back in April.

Williamson County already holds illegal immigrants for an extended period of time. In their deal they get $40 dollar per detainee.

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=6848683

We will also pass the 1000th illegal set for deportation over the weekend and the program is only about 4 months old.