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Podcasts Take Two
Dept. of Homeland Security to release immigrant detainees
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Feb 26, 2013
Listen • 5:39
Dept. of Homeland Security to release immigrant detainees
DHS is mandated by congress to keep 34,000 jail beds available for immigrant detainees, but Napolitano said yesterday the department may not be able to afford those after the across the board cuts.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano speaks during the White House daily briefing at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House February 25, 2013 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano speaks during the White House daily briefing at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House February 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Napolitano spoke on the sequestration impact it would have for homeland security.
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Alex Wong/Getty Images
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DHS is mandated by congress to keep 34,000 jail beds available for immigrant detainees, but Napolitano said yesterday the department may not be able to afford those after the across the board cuts.

The Department of Homeland Security announced this morning that it is releasing illegal immigrants held in jails across the country. This after DHS secretary Janet Napolitano announced yesterday that sequestration related cuts to the department would affect core operations, from border patrols to airport security.

DHS is mandated by congress to keep 34,000 jail beds available for immigrant detainees, but Napolitano said yesterday the department may not be able to afford those after the across the board cuts.

Here with more on this breaking news is Alvaro Huerta with the National Immigration Law Center.