Inmates To Be Deported

Deportations loom for many of the 914 foreign-born inmates discovered at the Gwinnett County jail during a 26-day review that concluded this week. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken custody of about a third of those inmates, while the others are being detained for possible deportation. Gwinnett County's Sheriff says no one outside the jail was checked for citizenship during the surge and that all jail inmates, who average about 2,700 per day, were screened regardless of their claim to citizenship.

(Associated Press)

GA, Carolinas lead in deportations

Federal officials say there was a 63 percent increase in illegal immigrants deported from Georgia and the Carolinas in the 12 months ending in October. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Atlanta Field Office of Detention and Removal carried out a record 17,955 deportation orders, compared with 11,006 the previous year. The agency counted them Thursday among more than 40,000 individuals processed in the three states during the 2008 fiscal year. With help from state and local authorities, ICE says it identified 9,182 criminal aliens who were incarcerated. In addition, it began removal proceedings against 7,000 criminals in state, local and federal jails and prisons, an increase from 3,722 in 2007.

(Associated Press)

Gwinnett County set for immigrant screening program

Authorities in Gwinnett County say they will begin screening county jail inmates for immigration violations. A five-million dollar program approved last week by the Gwinnett county commission will train deputies to use U.S. Department of Homeland Security databases to search inmate records. Deputies will also have training for beginning the deportation process for those inmates in the country illegally. The screening program could start in October. It’s part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program to help local authorities across the country find illegal immigrants in their detention facilities.