U.S. Plan Would Let Florida Arrest Illegal Immigrants
The U.S. government is drafting a plan that would allow Florida authorities to arrest illegal immigrants deemed threats to national security.
“It’s a big deal, it’s revolutionary,” said Joe Greene, assistant commissioner of investigations for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. “There’s a role in homeland security for an appropriate mix of the INS with the support of local and state law enforcement officials.”
Florida would be the first state where state and local authorities carry authority previously held only by federal agents. Officials said Monday that the Florida plan may be in place by next month.
Under the proposal, local authorities could arrest suspected illegal immigrants on civil charges. They already can detain immigrants on criminal charges.
At least 15 of the 19 suspected Sept. 11 hijackers had Florida connections, and three were in the country on expired visas.
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