This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 2:12 PM- WASHINGTON -- Utah needs at least 22 more federal immigration agents, according to http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2008/0305/20080305_021831_ICE_Duo.pdf " Target="_BLANK">letters sent Wednesday by members of Congress to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
"Our jails are full. The crime rates continue to increase, and we can no longer let this problem escalate," reads one of the letters, signed by Utah's two senators and three representatives.
One letter requests 12 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents focused on deportation. These agents would work primarily in the "southeastern part of the state" and assist local law enforcement officers designated to enforce federal immigration law.
The other letter requests 10 more ICE agents to investigate crimes perpetrated by undocumented immigrants. If approved, two would be stationed in St. George, Provo and Ogden and four in Salt Lake City.
"Numerous illegal aliens are committing crimes in Utah communities with virtual impunity," the letter reads.
The state now has 25 such agents.
Utah's delegation wants Chertoff to respond to the request for more deportation agents by Oct. 1, but included no deadline for their request for more agents in the investigations office.
Both letters tie undocumented immigration to rising crime rates and cite efforts of the Utah Legislature to fight undocumented immigration.
The Legislature passed, and the governor is expected to sign, a comprehensive immigration bill that would allow police officers to enforce immigration law and mandate some employers to verify the legality of their workers. The bill would not go into effect until July 2009.