Jails screen for immigration status
Sheriffs Capt. Gerald Cooper, left, supervises as an official at L.A. Countys Inmate Reception Center interviews an inmate on his immigration status. Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties are among the 30 local law enforcement agencies nationwide that have signed agreements with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to conduct such screenings. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Officials at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department have been trained by federal immigration officials to interview inmates who say they were born in foreign countries. About half of those interviewed in the last two years have been reported for possible deportation. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
There is no database of U.S. citizens, so sheriffs officials and federal immigration agents consult with state and federal databases for information on the inmates they interview. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency is working on a new program that will link local law enforcement offices across the country with Department of Homeland Security and FBI databases. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Since the controversial screening program began about two years ago, L.A. County sheriffs officials have interviewed about 20,000 inmates. But officials say there are still major holes in the system, such as depending on inmates honesty to determine who gets interviewed. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
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Opponents say having local law enforcement officers screen for federal immigration violations may cause distrust within the community and discourage immigrants from reporting crimes. Nevertheless, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted last week to increase funding by $500,000, hire more interviewers and expand the screening program. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
