Fingerprinting program targets law-breaking immigrants

[Mikell]

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- Evans Mesadieu has racked up a lengthy rap sheet during the three years he has lived illegally in the United States.

He has been convicted of at least six charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer and cruelty to children.

Each time he was arrested, Mesadieu lied about his status, using 15 aliases in Georgia and Florida that allowed him to continue living illegally in the country.

Now, he faces deportation back to his home country, the Bahamas, because of a new fingerprinting program launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.


"It's open season for Latinos in Georgia," said Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Elected Officials.

Gonzalez said the program takes away local law enforcement's ability to decide whose fingerprints are run -- essentially reporting everyone to federal immigration authorities, even people with minor offenses or extenuating circumstances.


OK make up your mind. You don't want local law enforcement to make immigration status checks or you do.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/06/...iref=allsearch