Secure Communities Program Identifying Criminals
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Jun 7, 2010
Story Updated:
Jun 8, 2010
Local and state law enforcement have been identifying criminal illegal immigrants through a biometric system at the jails.
When the criminals are booked their information goes through a database identifying them if they are wanted for other crimes.
The system in one year has helped catch many a wanted criminal in Webb County.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar says, “When criminals are now booked in jails, they’re fingerprinted and are cross-examined against the database of Department of Homeland Security to use.”
Securing our communities is one more step ICE is taking in coordination with state and local law enforcement to keep criminals off our streets and out of our communities.
ICE Deputy Assistant Secretary Alonzo Peña says, “We are committing to the level one offenders, that have committed crimes such as murders, rapists, assaults. Those types of offenders.”
The most recent example in Webb County was a Guatemalan national arrested for DWI.
At the Webb County Jail, he was fingerprinted through the system and authorities found out he has a conviction for murder in South Carolina along with terroristic threats, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Authorities found out he had been deported before and had used different alias.
“ICE can make arrangements to have those individuals deported to their home country depending on their situation.”
Using the system in just one year, the Webb County Jail has been able to identify 70 convicted criminals who have been removed, which includes nine immigrants with convictions of serious crimes, including murder and sexual abuse.
“It's about bringing public safety to the community. People that are not here they are not welcomed here and in addition to that they have committed crimes.”
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Just ME said on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 9:01 AM
There must be a why this occurred. Was she being molested and was about to talk? Do her friends know anything? I am sure that something has come up.
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