Irving jail sees sharp decline in illegal immigrants - Texas

The number of illegal immigrants detained in the Irving jail has dropped by more than 40 percent since intense media attention and protests erupted in September over the city’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

Illegal immigrants are probably staying out of Irving or keeping low profiles to avoid attention by police, experts and illegal immigrants said. Immigrant advocates said their demonstrations helped spread the word about the city’s efforts.

The Dallas suburb screens everyone booked into its jail, and refers suspected illegal immigrants to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. More than 1,700 suspected illegal immigrants have been turned over to ICE since Irving police started its Criminal Alien Program in September 2006.”*

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