Obama expands Bush's deportation efforts

HOUSTON — The Obama administration is vastly expanding a federal effort begun under President George W. Bush to identify and deport illegal immigrants held in jails. But in Houston, where the effort got a trial start eight months ago, people on each side of the immigration debate have found fault with it.

Under the effort, called Secure Communities, local officials check every set of fingerprints taken at jails against those of people who have had a brush with federal immigration authorities; in the past, they could check only for a criminal history in the FBI database. If a person turns out to be an illegal immigrant, the case is turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for possible deportation in addition to the criminal charges.

The Obama administration considers the trial program successful enough to pledge $195 million over the next year to expand the effort, with an eye toward establishing it nationwide by late 2012, when it is projected to cost about $1 billion a year.

It is under way in 70 counties nationwide, including those containing the cities of San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami and Durham, N.C.

Federal officials said that while they are pleased with their new ability to identify illegal immigrants, they do not have enough agents to deport all of those identified. In the first seven months of the program, about one-third of those identified as foreign nationals — which includes people with visas and temporary residence cards, and illegal immigrants — have been deported.

"We do have a limited amount of resources," said David Venturella, director of the federal program. "It's our priority to focus on the more serious offenders."

Proponents of stricter enforcement of immigration laws complain that by concentrating on people who pass through the jails, the government is letting too many other illegal immigrants off the hook. On the other side, advocacy groups for immigrants complain that the program has created a climate of fear and paranoia among Hispanics, hampering the police.

Jay Aiyer, a Houston immigration lawyer, said few people disagree dangerous criminals should be deported. But he said he had handled several cases in which illegal immigrants faced deportation after the state had dropped criminal charges.