Some undocumented immigrants swept up on minor charges such as fishing without a license won’t face federal detention. Instead, they’ll be released on their own recognizance under an Obama administration directive to a Nashville, Tenn., sheriff who charged 6,000 people with immigration crimes over the past 2-1/2 years.

The “release on recognizance” order by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – a branch of the US Department of Homeland Security – could affect at least some of the 66 US law enforcement jurisdictions that are part of a controversial program which, in essence, deputizes local police to act as de facto immigration agents.

A new immigration enforcement program from the federal government effectively could eliminate Prince William County’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, experts say.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to make the program, known as Secure Communities, available to all 1,200 of the country’s state and federal prisons and 3,100 local jails by the end of 2012.

"Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego will become the first counties in California to begin checking the immigration status of all inmates booked into jail as part of a national effort to identify and deport more illegal immigrants with criminal records.

Law enforcement officials in the three counties will begin running inmates' fingerprints through federal databases this month to see if they have had any contact with the immigration system. Immigration officials will place holds on those believed to be in the country illegally. Once the inmates have finished serving their sentences, they will be transferred to immigration custody for possible deportation...."

"Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday voted to direct the Department of Revenue to not comply with federal driver’s license requirements.

The federal Real ID Act, passed in 2005, requires states to collect and verify certain information about applicants for driver’s licenses and state ID cards. It was passed in response to national security concerns after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But some Missouri lawmakers argue Real ID is an unwelcome intrusion into privacy and requires several new technologies that could increase the risk of identity theft...."

National attention and heavy political criticism aren't burdens that quiet, rural Frederick County often has to bear.

Yet the county is becoming notorious as Maryland's most aggressive combatant in the widespread struggle over immigration enforcement.

"Some border county sheriffs want Arizona schools to start asking students whether they're in this country legally.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik originated the idea and said millions of dollars in Arizona taxes go to teach English to children who have no legal right to be here. He also said there's a link involving illegal immigration, social problems and gangs.

Only thing is, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision appears to make it illegal for school officials to ask. In a 5-4 decision, the justices overturned a Texas law that authorized school districts to refuse to enroll anyone who couldn't prove legal residence.""

The controversial federal immigration program that turned some Mecklenburg County deputies into de-facto immigration agents may soon be replaced with a similar program using better technology.

"Salt Lake City's Hispanic community is gearing up for the implementation of Senate Bill 81, a controversial immigration reform that has many concerned about how it will be enforced. Archie Archuleta with the Utah Coalition of La Raza said people share Police Chief Chris Burbank's concern that the law encourages racial profiling.

"We don't want our people picked up while driving, driving while brown," Archuleta said. "And we're telling people to be careful, and to be calm, and to comport themselves well with the police, and that they have certain rights, which include being able to call your consulate, being able to call a lawyer, being able to call a friend.""

The Salt Lake City Police Department's decision not to participate in a new law that will allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law has infuriated the bill's legislative sponsor.

"I'm worked up about this," said Rep. Mike Noel, House sponsor of SB81, which takes effect July 1. "It's not their choice to decide which laws they enforce."

From March 2008 through the end of the year, 1.7 percent of the people arrested or given a summons were illegal immigrants, the report states. In addition, 86.9 percent of those "suspected to be illegal aliens were arrested on misdemeanor or traffic charges," and 9 percent were arrested on felony charges.