Thread: VA: Suffolk's Criminal Alien Program Nets Results

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Suffolk's Criminal Alien Program Nets Results

By:Michelle Pirraglia February 07, 2007

In an effort to move the financial burden of incarcerating illegal aliens off the backs of local taxpayers, Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco said the Criminal Alien Program, which was implemented by his office last November, has made substantial headway in getting illegals out of the county jail and into federal custody.
"Since we instituted this program, we almost tripled the amount of illegal aliens we turn over to the feds," DeMarco commented last week. "We've been able to hit the ground running."
As previously reported in Suffolk Life, each prisoner costs Suffolk County residents approximately $200 a day to house. DeMarco noted that about 10% of the county's prison population - which was at 1,768, as of press time - consists of illegal aliens. According to statistics from the sheriff's office, there were 127 confirmed illegal immigrants being housed in the county jail as of January 29, and several others whose residency status is under investigation, which could bring the number up to about 170.
"These prisoners, who are not even here legally in the first place, are costing us a fortune in taxpayer dollars," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who approved funding for the Criminal Alien Program. "Vinnie and I think very much alike on these issues, and we try to give him the resources he needs to crack down on illegal aliens."
Under the program, the sheriff's office has been able to hire extra personnel to interrogate inmates and go through jail records to more quickly identify who is in the US legally and who is not. Efforts also are being made to work with the courts and Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota's office to get the cases of illegals who are arrested through the court process more quickly, so that they can hand illegal aliens over to the federal government sooner.
Noting that there were some obstacles to getting these prisoners out of the county criminal system, DeMarco said the Criminal Alien Program has allowed his office to more swiftly move illegal aliens from the Suffolk jail facilities to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement unit.
"We've added two more investigators to our gang unit and that's made a big difference," the sheriff said, noting that his office has found that many gang members are in the country illegally. "The impact is phenomenal."
As of last week, there was a total of 240 gang members or known associates in Suffolk's entire jail population. Through the interrogation of these gang members, DeMarco said the officers are able to pick out other inmates who are illegal immigrants.
Overall, DeMarco said the number of illegals his office is turning over to ICE has risen dramatically. He stated that, in 2005, under former Sheriff Alfred Tisch, a total of 141 illegal aliens were handed over to ICE, while in 2006, DeMarco's office was able to send 376 illegals to the federal government. However, shortly after the Criminal Alien Program "kicked into gear," DeMarco said the number of illegal immigrants he was able to move out of Suffolk went up even more.
"We sent over 42 [illegals to ICE] in the month of January alone," DeMarco noted, adding, "The sooner we get them out of here, the sooner they get off the tax rolls."
In addition to the two new investigators in the gang unit, DeMarco said he is in the process of hiring two civilian employees to "weed out" illegal aliens within the county jail system. They will also serve as liaisons between the sheriff's office and the courts, as well as the DA's office.
"We're trying to get some of the cases resolved so we can turn them over," the sheriff explained. He noted that, while ICE may have a detainer on an illegal immigrant who is accused of a crime, the county is not allowed to release them into federal custody until they have seen a judge. One of the problems, according to DeMarco, has been the postponement of court dates, which allows illegals to sit in the county jail on the taxpayers' dime. "This is one of the things we want to focus on, once we hire these two people," he said, adding that his office is currently working with the DA's office and the courts to hash out the new paperwork and other necessary information.
Levy said he has been working with the federal government to have ICE agents stationed at the county jail facility in Riverhead. "We're hoping to have them here by the end of February," he said, noting that local authorities can only hold illegals who have detainers for 24 hours after they either post bail or finish serving their sentence. "When we get these federal agents at our jail, it will have a major impact."
DeMarco noted that ICE officials have been coming by the jail to pick up illegal aliens "two or three times a week, and sometimes they're here every day." He added, "They've been great. It's really all about communication."

Wonderful, The more of this I hear the happier I am!! If this keeps up I may be able to for go the anger management I thought I was getting close to needing!!! :P

It is great news. Screen, deport and BUILD THE FENCE!!