Harris Co. jailers to keep up immigration screening

Houston Chronicle ^ | October 27, 2009 | JAMES PINKERTON

[BradtotheBone]

Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to continue screening jail prisoners for immigration status and referring those in the country illegally to federal authorities.

County Judge Ed Emmett and three commissioners voted for a three-year extension of the controversial 287(g) program expected to cost local taxpayers nearly $1 million a year.

Since the county began participating in the program, more than 10,650 inmates have been referred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The court was undeterred by pastors, civil libertarians, civil rights leaders and immigration activists who insisted the program is a drain on local resources, spawns racial profiling and splits immigrant families.

“That is racist and outrageous,” University of Houston student Eric Ribellarsi shouted seconds after the court vote. He was escorted from the chamber, where he said the real objective of 287(g) is to “rip apart” immigrant families.

[WellyP]

Keep up the great work!

[txmissy]

YES!!!

[UCFRoadWarrior]

.“That is racist and outrageous,” University of Houston student Eric Ribellarsi shouted seconds after the court vote.

No Mr Ribellarsi.....You are THE RACIST. And, also, an Anti-American Bigot. I am tired of those who pander to and for Illegal Aliens

[proudpapa]

CORRECTION: expected to SAVE local taxpayers nearly $10 million a year.

[proudpapa]

CORRECTION: expected to SAVE local taxpayers nearly $10 million a year.

[BJClinton]

University of Houston student Eric Ribellarsi... said the real objective of 287(g) is to “rip apart” immigrant families."

Yup. That's it Einstein. We just want to rip up families, that's all. Please sterilize yourself Eric.

PS, although I doubt a dip$#!t like you watches football, how 'bout those Cougars?

[gubamyster]

ping

[arthurus]

It costs a million but how much does it save by getting room&board expenses into someone else’s jurisdiction.