Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 8:11 PM



WA Senate: Send jailed illegal immigrants to feds
The Washington Senate has passed a measure that clears the way for the state Department of Corrections to send imprisoned illegal immigrants to federal custody and likely deportation.

OLYMPIA, Wash. —
The Washington Senate has passed a measure that clears the way for the state Department of Corrections to send imprisoned illegal immigrants to federal custody and likely deportation.

The bill is part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's attempts to cut spending in light of a $9 billion deficit through the next two-year budget cycle. The bill now goes to the House.

State officials have estimated that entering an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would save the state $8 million in the next two years.

Under the bill, illegal immigrants convicted of nonviolent crimes would be immediately transferred to custody of the federal government, which could begin deportation procedures. The state would save money by not housing them.

State officials have said that prisoners serving time for violent crimes would not be transferred.

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The bill is SB 6183.

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