ICE promises cooperation on jail program

November 02, 2007
Santa Paula News

A top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official today promised Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) to work with Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks to identify and detain criminal illegal immigrants at the county jail.

A top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official today promised Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) to work with Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks to identify and detain criminal illegal immigrants at the county jail.Jamie Zuieback, director of ICE’s Office of Congressional Relations, and Bart Rodriguez, ICE Acting Assistant Deputy Director, met with Gallegly at his request at Gallegly’s Washington, DC, office today to discuss the illegal immigration jail detention program.Zuieback said they have increased ICE’s presence at the Ventura County jail to five officers during weekdays, up from four. In addition, after 5 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends, a duty officer is available at the local district ICE office to coordinate with jail officials in identifying and detaining illegal immigrants who are booked at the jail.Gallegly is continuing to work with ICE to improve coordination between the Sheriff’s Department and ICE to identify and detain illegal immigrants during non-business hours.
Of those booked and screened at the jail in July and August, 79 percent were found to be illegal immigrants.The jail program began with legislation Gallegly authored and which was included in the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.“The jail program has proven to be a valuable tool to identify and remove criminal illegal immigrants,” Gallegly said. “I appreciate Director Zuieback’s commitment to continue ICE’s efforts to identify and deport criminal illegal immigrants, not only in Ventura County but across the country.”



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