Arrested migrants referred to feds
Hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants arrested in Huntington Beach have been referred to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials since last year.
The 262 people referred to ICE for detention and possible deportation from March 2007 to August 2008 had been arrested on suspicion of a variety of crimes, including burglary, assault and drunken driving.
Virginia Kice, ICE spokeswoman, says local law enforcement agencies can contact federal authorities if they suspect an arrestee is an illegal immigrant.
ICE expanded its program to work with police departments in identifying and detaining suspected criminal illegal immigrants about two years ago.
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