WAKE COUNTY, N.C. -- As the New Year rolls in, so will a few new rules. One rule that will take effect come January 1st is a rule aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants in county jails.

Discuss This Story
Related Link: Laws Taking Into Effect Jan. 1st

 

There were about 35,000 people who were processed through the Wake County Jail this year.

 

Sheriff Donnie Harrison estimates about 10 percent to 15 percent may have been undocumented.

 

The new law means deputies will now be notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents about suspect inmates. But Sheriff Harrison said the law only requires local jails to notify ICE agents.

 

“Just because we let them know, that doesn't keep these people from bonding out, if it's a bondable offense, lets say DWI,” said Sheriff Harrison.

 

He said there is often a problem lining up some inmates with an actual identity.

 

“This is only by name and the information that we can acquire from the person, this does not include finger prints,” said Harrison.

 

He said he has required his detention officers to send e-mail notices to ICE agents about suspect inmates since he took office. To date he said ICE has never responded with a request to detain an inmate for deportation proceedings.

 

This new regulation is a state law, so it has no power to compel ICE, a federal agency, to respond to local jails.

 

Harrison said it only affects certain crimes.

 

“We're talking about felonies and DWIs, and that's people that recognize themselves by being charged, I think that people's concern is; ‘Are we going out into the street to pick them up,’ the answer is no.”

 

There are a few local police departments with policies against asking anyone they stop their immigration status.

 

This new law would not necessarily disrupt those policies, because it only affects people being booked into a county jail on felonies or DWIs.

 

To see a complete list of laws taking into effect January 1st, click on the link above.