Worse all of the illegals aliens in question have been arrested for crimes such as public drunk and assault.

Irving cannot detain some illegal immigrants

12:23 AM CST on Wednesday, November 21, 2007

By BRANDON FORMBY and STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News
bformby@dallasnews.com, ssandoval@dallasnews.com

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in North Texas will no longer detain most illegal immigrants arrested for Class C misdemeanors, citing a dramatic increase in referrals and limited resources.

The agency began notifying area cities this week that it wants to target for deportation suspected illegal immigrants charged with more serious crimes.

Dallas ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok said Tuesday that increased awareness of the Criminal Alien Program has led to a recent spike in referrals the agency receives from local law enforcement.

"These additional referrals required additional resources not immediately available," said Mr. Rusnok, whose office covers 128 Texas counties and all of Oklahoma. ICE officials are directing local law enforcement agencies to refer people suspected of being in the country illegally if they have been arrested on Class B misdemeanors or more serious crimes.

The agency will continue to look at those arrested for Class C misdemeanors if, for example, the suspect possessed a firearm or has an immigration warrant or a criminal record involving a Class B misdemeanor or more serious crime.

The new guidelines will enable ICE to "allocate our law enforcement assets in the most effective manner possible to address public safety and national security threats," according to a memo sent to Irving outlining the changes.

Mr. Rusnok said his agency will check those charged with Class C misdemeanors as resources permit. He noted that anyone in the country illegally is at risk of deportation.

Irving officials estimate that 60 percent of the more than 1,700 suspected illegal immigrants they have turned over to ICE for deportation since last year faced only Class C misdemeanor charges. Such charges include speeding, assault, public intoxication and hot checks. The penalty for Class C misdemeanors is a fine of no more than $500.

Class B misdemeanors include disorderly conduct with a firearm, prostitution and driving while intoxicated. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.

... much more in article

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/112107dnmetimmigration.213cfc62.html