Local agencies cooperating with immigration agents
By Don Reid-Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:04 PM CDT


COLDWATER — At one point last week there were nine men in the Branch County Jail on criminal charges with holds waiting for agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pick them up for deportation after they were finished with local court proceedings.

According to Jail Administrator Fred Blankenship two were picked up and taken to the federal holding center in the Calhoun County Jail.

Branch County Prosecutor Kirk Kashian said ICE has added personnel and “more and more contact asking for assistance with legal status of illegals who are defendants.â€