Fingerprinting Led to Deportation of 47,000

Records show that 47,000 undocumented immigrants have been removed or deported from the U.S. after the Department of Homeland Security checked 3 million sets of fingerprints taken from bookings at local jails. Ironically, about one-quarter of those deported do not have criminal records. Immigration advocates say that government has spent too many resources on lower-level criminals or non-criminals. For their part Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman said non-criminals still may be people who have failed to show up for deportation hearings, who recently crossed the border illegally or who re-entered the country after deportation. He also said it’s important to remember that more people commit crimes that are considered Level 2 and 3.