News

Aug 10, 2010

Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have agreed to turn over all the information he asked for after a nun was killed last week in a car crash in which an illegal immigrant was suspected of driving the second car.

Stewart said Beth Gibson, ICE senior counsel, agreed to turn over the identities of every convicted illegal immigrant apprehended in Prince William County through the county's 287g partnership since July 2007, what crimes they were accused of committing and how many of them were released back into the community.

Stewart said, "This data is the tip of the iceberg and will show that millions of convicted criminal illegal aliens in this country have been released while awaiting deportation.

"This is not a small number we are discussing. Americans will be shocked when they realize how many convicted criminal illegal aliens are being released back into our communities and how long their deportation proceedings take," he said. "This is a positive step forward, but we have to keep fighting."

Last week, after his request to ICE was repeatedly denied, Stewart asked Congress to subpoena the agency's records .

According to Stewart, ICE officials also said they will increase detention center space in Virginia to hold illegal immigrants until deportation.

But ICE spokesman Richard Rocha denied that ICE will turn over any names or personal information to Stewart.

"ICE told Prince William County Supervisor Corey Stewart the agency would provide available statistics, for instance about the crimes and custody status of individuals referred to ICE by 287(g) trained officers,'' Rocha said. "We anticipate that research to take a few weeks. To clarify, ICE will not be providing personally identifiable information -- like names or addresses -- to Stewart or others. Under DHS's Privacy Policy, the Privacy Act, which protects against the release of certain personal information, extends to aliens as well as U.S. citizens."

Stewart said he was disappointed to hear Rocha's response. "They are backing down."