Los Angeles police refused ICE to extradite 25 thousand illegal criminals

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (California) has refused more than 25 requests from federal immigration authorities to extradite illegal immigrants held in state prisons. Writes about it Fox News.

Photo: Shutterstock

The figure represents requests filed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for fiscal 2020, ICE spokesman Alex Pons said.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the department would stop transferring illegal immigrants to the immigration office, citing ICE's conditions of detention and that fear of deportation could interfere with a criminal investigation.

“There is no greater threat to public safety than a million undocumented immigrants who are afraid to report crimes for fear of deportation,” Villanueva said. “As Los Angeles County Sheriff, I am responsible for the public safety of everyone, regardless of immigration status.” “I will not allow an entire segment of the population to be afraid to report crimes to law enforcement.”

Henry Lucero, executive partner of ICE, opposed Villanueva's position.

On the subject: ICE lowers standards for immigration detention centers: what has changed

“As a federal law enforcement agency, ICE supports all individuals who report crimes, regardless of immigration status in the United States,” he said.

In 2011, the agency adopted a policy prohibiting the initiation of deportation proceedings against persons illegally residing in the United States who are a direct victim or witness of a crime.

“The greatest threat to public safety lies with the more than 10 million residents of Los Angeles County who may be targeted by the release of convicted illegal aliens by law enforcement officials,” ICE said in a statement.

The Sheriff's Department imposed a moratorium on transferring inmates to ICE in April, as coronavirus infection rates in prisons across the country soared, forcing many states to release prisoners early.

Going forward, ICE will need to obtain a court order in order to gain access to prisoners for federal custody.

More than 2019 prisoners were released in Los Angeles County, home to the nation's largest prison system in 11. The detainees were convicted of serious crimes, including murder, assault, as well as crimes of a sexual nature and crimes with the use of weapons.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Trump premium: which states will add $ 300 to unemployment benefits

'Faster and faster': Greenland ice sheet is melting at record

40 most common mistakes in English that Russian speakers make

Snickers, siblings and the Alexander: 20+ secrets of English breaking language stereotypes

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.