State turns over nearly 500 illegal immigrants to feds
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State turns over nearly 500 illegal immigrants to feds

Date: November 2, 2009
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

 
Intro:  An elite group of Missouri troopers has turned over nearly 500 illegal immigrants to the federal government since 2007. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The federal government is allowing 18 Missouri troopers to do their work for them ... catch illegal immigrants and turn them over.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson says troopers have caught 474 people in the country illegally since 2007.

That was the year former Gov. Matt Blunt ordered troopers to do an immigration check on everyone they arrested.

The order has since become state law.

After making an arrest and finding a person is here illegally, troopers refer the case to the feds.

The Eastern Missouri ACLU says the program is dangerous ... saying it takes local law enforcement away from the job it's already supposed to be doing.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:  The ACLU says it's wrong to have select Missouri troopers finding and turning over illegal immigrants to the federal government. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: An elite group of Missouri troopers has turned over nearly 500 illegal immigrants to the feds over the past two years.

Eastern Missouri ACLU Program Director John Chasnoff says he fears troopers will engage in racial profiling.

Actuality:  CHAS2.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "There are natural stereotypes that are going to come to his mind as he's envisioning how to enforce that law."

Missouri State Highway Patrol Lieutenant John Hotz says there's a system in place to prevent this.

Actuality:  HOTZ1.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "We actually fill out information and it is submitted as part of the Highway Patrol's racial profiling statistics."

Hotz says only after an arrest does the group of 18 troopers check for immigration status.

At that point, the trooper turns over the illegal immigrant to the feds.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.