Sheriff suggests changing immigration policy

CHICAGO (AP) — After 11 people suspected of being in the country illegally were released from custody under a controversial county ordinance and then arrested again, the Cook County's sheriff suggested tweaking the ordinance so he could alert immigration officials when a violent offender was about to be freed.

At a county board meeting, Sheriff Tom Dart addressed critics' concerns that the provision forbidding the jail from notifying immigration officials when suspected immigrants are about to post bond, finish serving their sentences or have their cases dropped creates a public safety risk.

Dart, whose office runs the jail, suggested it be allowed to notify federal authorities when violent offenders are set for release so U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can pick them up before they're freed.

The Chicago Sun-Times (http://bit.ly/zqwd16) reported that the 148 inmates that the jail would have provided notification for if allowed include people charged with murder, sexual assault and other violent crimes.

"When you segregate out the violent acts on this, it should give everybody in the county reason to feel a lot more secure and safe," Dart told the board Thursday.

Since the ordinance was passed about five months ago, Dart said 346 people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally have walked out of jail, including one who was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer. The 11 who were released and arrested now face charges including theft, drunken driving and drug possession.

Dart previously sent the board letters about his concerns and a few weeks ago, the board referred an ordinance amendment to a committee that would allow the jail to notify immigration officials when it is about to release inmates charged with certain felonies and high-level drug charges or on a terrorist watch list.

Another amendment has been referred to committee that would give the sheriff to authority to decide whether or not to notify federal authorities when a suspected illegal immigrant is about to be released.