U.S. to end voluntary deportation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say the agency will scrap a program for illegal immigrants to turn themselves in for deportation after getting only eight volunteers during a nearly three-week trial.

Jim Hayes, acting director of detention and removal operations, told the Associated Press that the offer will end today because of the low turnout.

The pilot program gave illegal immigrants with court orders to leave the country up to 90 days to depart. It was offered in Santa Ana, San Diego, Phoenix, Chicago and Charlotte, N.C.

Hayes said the other tactics have proven more effective. The agency has been tracking down so-called immigrant “fugitives” by knocking on their doors, often during predawn hours.