Immigration Crackdown: ICE Releases Records on Immigration Enforcement

ICE Releases Records on Immigration Enforcement | NBC Washington: "Several high-profile crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Prince William County, Virginia have prompted local officials to question federal immigration law. But now Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released a report that details why some illegal immigrants may have been let go.

According to the report, which was released because of lawsuits filed by Prince William County and conservative legal group Judicial Watch, new federal immigration policies could have kept illegal immigrants from release.

ICE has been under increasing pressure, especially in Virginia, after police say Carlos Montano killed a Benedictine nun while driving drunk. Montano, who is an illegal immigrant, is awaiting trial on involuntary manslaughter. But the real fury was sparked when it was discovered that Montano had been arrested twice previously for drunk driving and once for reckless driving.

The newly released report states that it was the policy of ICE at the time of Montano’s first arrest to avoid holding illegal immigrants whenever possible because of lack of beds in holding cells. That has now changed, and ICE is now directed to focus on detaining illegal immigrants with criminal records or who pose a threat to public safety.

“Under the priorities outlined in this memorandum, Montano likely would have been detained for three reasons, namely that he was: (1) a convict; (2) a repeat offender; and (3) a demonstrated danger to public safety,” according to the report. The report also states that ICE has dramatically increased the number of beds dedicated to holding illegal immigrants. "