http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.immigrant09jul09,0,2074300.story?coll=bal-local-headlines
When illegal immigrants report crimes, some police agencies report their status to the federal government, and others do not. Some analysts argue that requiring local police to enforce immigration laws prevents undocumented immigrants from reporting crimes or coming forward as witnesses, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Influenced by terrorist threats from some of the 80,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records in the United States, several members of Congress will introduce legislation today that would give local law enforcement agencies more access to federal databases and provide funding for local police to be trained in immigration law.
“I don’t envision the federal government hiring half a million [immigration] officers,” said Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.), a sponsor. “That leaves us one option: the guy walking the beat and driving the highway that is fairly consistently coming into contact with illegal aliens.” the bill is titled the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2003.
Link: http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.immigrant09jul09,0,2074300.story?coll=bal-local-headlines