Search for undocumented immigrants in LA County jails draws criticism

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Federal agents have returned to Los Angeles County jails in search of inmates who are undocumented immigrants, but the new policy has prompted a lot of criticism.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department will cooperate with immigration officials, but there will be limits. ICE agents will be able to interview inmates who committed serious crimes, but opponents worry this could lead to distrust in law enforcement.

The sheriff's plan calls for ICE agents to have full access to the jail and databases so they can conduct investigations. In addition, jail officials would also notify ICE up to seven days before inmates are set to be released.

Just a few months ago, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to end a similar plan.

"They basically are attempting to make an end run around the Board of Supervisors' vote and reinstall ICE in the release area of the jail the same way that it was before that vote," said Jennie Pasquarella with the ACLU.

All of this comes after several high-profile cases, including the shooting death in San Francisco of Kate Steinle. She was allegedly shot by Francisco Sanchez, who had been deported to Mexico five times. Just before the shooting, he had been released by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department, which refused to turn him over to ICE.

In Los Angeles, Sheriff Jim McDonald spoke of the new policy by saying he needs "...policies and procedures that appropriately balance both promoting and preserving public safety and fortifying trust within the multiethnic communities that make up Los Angeles."

"The more that we have ICE agents using our criminal justice system for deportation purposes and relying on our county sheriff and police departments for that work, the more we are going to have community members who fear interacting with the police, fear interacting with the sheriff," said Pasquarella.

The sheriff says he is following all state laws with this new program. It is expected that there will be a public hearing at the Board of Supervisors next week.