INS Screenings to Continue at City Jail
President Clinton has given final approval to legislation placing Immigration and Naturalization Service agents permanently at Anaheim Jail.
The legislation also expands the pilot program in Anaheim and Ventura County to about 100 jails nationwide. Under the program, prisoners are screened before they go to court, and illegal immigrants are identified for deportation once they serve their sentences.
“This is the culmination of a two-year battle to provide identification services for repeat criminal illegal aliens,” Councilman Bob Zemel said.
Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) said approval of the legislation is no surprise.
“In the past, illegal aliens who committed crimes in our community were simply arrested and released, often because local authorities were unable to ascertain their true identities and obtain their criminal histories,” said Cox, who helped sponsor the legislation.
Meanwhile, Cox and Anaheim officials have criticized the INS for reducing its presence at the jail, leaving about 60% of arrestees unscreened. The INS has cited funding problems.
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