ATLANTA (AP) — A new report says illegal immigrants who commit even minor offenses are being turned over to federal authorities for deportation by local law enforcement. However, other agencies are focused on deporting more violent criminals.
The report by the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Washington-based think tank, was released Monday. It focused on a federal-local partnership program called the 287(g) program. The study is based on visits and interviews in seven jurisdictions participating in the program, along with federal data.
The report, examined jurisdictions in Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Nevada, California and Colorado. It says political pressure and conflicting messages from the federal government may account for the discrepancy.
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