NCJ Number
213473
Date Published
October 2004
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This report presents feedback concerning the implementation of the High Intensity Criminal Alien Apprehension and Prosecution (HI-CAAP) partnership in Los Angeles County, which focuses on improving the identification of all criminal aliens, specifically those who have previously been deported.
Abstract
Results indicated that significant progress was made toward the goal of increasing the identification of previously deported criminal aliens, which has been primarily achieved through: (1) the increased ability to make fingerprint-based identifications; (2) improved working relationships with the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC); and (3) progress toward an automated detainer process. Progress was also made toward the goal of increased Federal prosecution of HI-CAAP aliens and the United States Attorney's Office has been considering the adoption of the Fast Track program for this purpose. Outstanding issues remain in the implementation of both goals. Outstanding issues include the inconsistent use of LiveScan equipment by Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents; the need to resolve labor union concerns about Federal background investigations related to the “deputization” of jail staff; and the need to clarify the policy and practice of voluntary departures versus formal deportation proceedings for aliens with criminal records who have not been previously deported. Implementation of the HI-CAAP Federal-Local Partnership is ongoing. Recommendations for improvement call attention to the high staff turnover rate and to the importance of building capacity for central data collection. Data were drawn from a series of individual interviews with HI-CAAP steering committee members; a review of documents pertaining to the HI-CAAP steering committee’s planned activities and their implementation; and observations of HI-CAAP steering committee meetings over a 2-year period. Footnotes, table, references