Texas Tribune Juan Aguillar reports
"A controversial Department of Homeland Security program that identifies immigrants in local jails now operates in every Texas county.
"Through the Secure Communities program, administered Immigration and Customs Enforcement, local law enforcement compares the fingerprints of anyone arrested against those in a DHS database to determine if the individual can be removed under immigration laws. Statewide participation in Secure Communities means the program has more than tripled since June, when 66 Texas counties used the system. The agency’s ultimate goal is to have nationwide participation by 2013.
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"Data obtained by the Texas Tribune showed that since Texas joined the program in October 2008, through June of this year, it had submitted 494,445 sets of fingerprints to DHS for tracing, leading to 10,837 aliens being arrested or booked into ICE custody. According to ICE statistics at that time, 8,596 had been deported. Of those, just 2,113 — fewer than 25 percent — were convicted of level 1 offenses, compared to 5,147, or 60 percent, who were convicted or charged with level 2 offenses."
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