Debate heats up over policy of jailing immigrants

The debate over Cook County’s policy of ignoring federal requests to detain suspected illegal immigrants after they complete their jail sentences or post bond is heating up after reports that an illegal immigrant charged in a fatal hit-and-run accident posted bond and disappeared.

With the media reporting the disappearance, the nation’s immigration director weighed in with a letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, telling her the county’s policy may violate federal law and undermines public safety.

But Preckwinkle is refusing to reconsider the policy. She says illegal immigrants should be treated like anyone else. She says the problem in the case of the suspect who disappeared isn’t his immigration status but that his bond was too low to ensure he wouldn’t flee.