Federal judge questions immigration prosecutions
Associated Press - February 6, 2010 8:45 PM ET
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal judge in Austin questions U.S. prosecutors for seeking criminal convictions against some illegal immigrants, noting in an order concern over the cost.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks made the comments in an order filed Friday in the cases against three Mexican citizens who were charged with illegal re-entry after being found in Travis County Jail.
He wrote that like many of the defendants prosecuted under the federal illegal re-entry law, the men had no significant criminal history. He says it has cost more than $13,350 to jail the three.
He also noted the charges mean additional costs and work for prosecutors, defense lawyers, court personnel and others.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the three all pleaded guilty, were sentenced Thursday by Sparks to time served and are being deported.
Information from: Austin American-Statesman,
http://www.statesman.com
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11945473