State wants feds to take immigrant inmates

OLYMPIA – For the third year in a row, Washington state officials want to send state prison inmates who are illegally in the country to federal custody to save money.

Lawmakers heard in committee on Monday a proposal from the Department of Corrections that eases the way prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes are transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody – essentially speeding their deportation from the country.

The department estimates that implantation of the new rule would save the state about $3 million in its two-year budget.

Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary Scott Blonien says the bill removes part of existing law that requires judges and prosecutors to sign off on the transfer.

But immigration attorney Jorge Baron says that if implemented, the proposed law may net immigrants who are legally in the country and immigrants who may be able to contest deportation. He is concerned that due process may be curtailed under the proposal.