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Sheriff Baca won't hand over immigrant misdemeanor suspects to federal authorities anymore
Inmates are moved at the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles County.
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Sheriff Baca won't hand over immigrant misdemeanor suspects to federal authorities anymore
LA County Sheriff Lee Baca says he is changing his approach a day after the state Attorney General said local agencies have discretion over how to apply the federal policy.
The L.A. County Sheriff has announced the agency won’t hand over immigrant misdemeanor suspects to ICE any more.
Sheriff Baca has staunchly defended Secure Communities , a federal immigration program that’s resulted in the deportations of thousands of undocumented immigrants who have minimal or no criminal backgrounds.
Here's how Secure Communities works: When law enforcement books a person in a county jail, the agency shares his or her fingerprint information federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If the immigrant lives here illegally, he or she can immediately end up in deportation proceedings.
State Attorney General Kamala Harris
declared this week
that these so-called “ICE hold requests” are voluntary – and that local law enforcement agencies have full discretion over whether to participate.
“It opens up a whole new avenue of opportunity that Sheriff Baca is certainly going to consider," said LA Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore, in response to Harris' declaration. "Right now, he is going to analyze the entire opinion. He is going to consult with county counsel and jail officials to decide what his next move will be.”
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Now, the LA Sheriff’s Department may join the LA Police Department in refraining from turning over some undocumented immigrants arrested for low-level crimes to federal custody.
Whitmore has confirmed that the department will work out details of the new policy by the end of the year. After that, the L.A. County Sheriff won’t hand over immigrant misdemeanor suspects to ICE any more.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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