Corrections officials in Arizona say many illegal aliens incarcerated in state prisons could be deported tomorrow, but remain imprisoned, taking up valuable space and resources because of a shortage of federal immigration officials needed to deport them.

But a recent proposal, made by the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) at a law enforcement summit, suggests that state corrections personnel be given the legal authority and training to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deporting illegal aliens from Arizona's overcrowded prisons, according to ADC Director Dora Schriro.

While both ICE and ADC are in the early stages of negotiations, Schriro said she had no doubt that the problem has been clearly identified and will be addressed.

"We have just shy of 4,200 foreign nationals incarcerated," she said. "That is 13 percent of our entire prison population. The state spends nearly one quarter of a million dollars a day to confine them. So, we proposed we partner with ICE and assume more of their duties in the deportation process."

The measure would consist of a five week training program run by ICE, in which ADC corrections officers and administrators would be certified in the processing and detention of undocumented criminal aliens.

The deputized ADC officers would most likely work alongside ICE officials in Arizona's two prisoner intake facilities, filing and processing paperwork packages for undocumented aliens, according to Schriro.

Under federal law, only certified ICE officials can investigate, arrest, and process illegal aliens. A shortage of federal immigration agents in Arizona has created bureaucratic backlogging, slowing down the deportation process and leaving ADC with thousands of excess inmates.

While ICE official, Russell Ahr, said he was not authorized to directly comment on issues regarding backups in the system and cooperation between ICE and state agencies, he said in an official statement that ICE "remains happy to meet with interested agencies to discuss this measure."

Although some ICE supervisors have recently been making on the spot authorizations to expedite the deportation process, Schriro claims that there are currently 200 foreign nationals incarcerated in Arizona whose processing papers lack nothing more than the signature of an ICE supervisor to deport them.

"I've heard a variety of explanations [for the backlog]," said Schriro. "I'm not sure what the actual reason is, quite frankly... It's still premature for me to say how it's [the proposal] going to end up, but we have already shared data and provided additional information to ICE."

While programs of this kind exist between ICE and law enforcement agencies in Florida and Alabama, ADC's proposal would be the first to involve corrections officers. "I'm happy to lead the way," said Schriro.

Schriro's enthusiasm was echoed by others during hearings before the House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington D.C. on July 27, where cooperation between ICE and corrections agencies has been encouraged by government officials.

"Such a partnership between ICE and a jail could result in more criminal aliens being removed from the United States," said Paul M. Kilcoyne, the Deputy Director of Investigative Services for ICE. Kilcoyne also emphasized the need to create a uniform electronic notification system in every jail and prison to notify ICE when state or local institutions book criminal aliens.

State and federal agencies have long been at odds over illegal immigration in Arizona, the nation's busiest entry point for undocumented immigrants. In fact, Border Patrol arrested more than 500,000 illegal immigrants last year in southern Arizona alone.
Incarceration of these illegal aliens takes up valuable state resources and prison space, said Schriro, who would like to see the federal government provide more financial and administrative assistance to ADC.

Earlier this year, the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) issued federal funds to Arizona meant to reimburse the state for corrections officer salary costs incurred during the incarceration of criminal aliens. But, to the dismay of both Schriro and Governor Janet Napolitano, the SCAAP funds fell short of adequate.

"Our SCAAP reimbursement is so miserable, we get nine cents for every dollar we spend," said Schriro. "There is no good reason for it I can think of and they [the federal government] are shirking their responsibilities to everyone in this country," she said.

After years of criticizing the federal government and sending invoices to the U.S.

Department of Justice demanding full reimbursement, Governor Napolitano ordered a law enforcement summit for Arizona agencies to generate new ideas to curtail illegal immigration.

"While immigration is a federal issue, the governor doesn't just want to be idle," said Patti Urias, spokeswoman for the governor. "She wants to find ways that law enforcement can assist the federal government so illegal immigration doesn't continue to place such a burden on state facilities and resources."

While the Governor Napolitano has long been critical of the federal government's lack of progress in halting illegal immigration, she has also been attacked by opponents for vetoing an immigration bill in May that would have authorized all local and law enforcement officers to assist ICE, on the grounds that it would have made immigrant communities fearful of local law enforcement. 
 
Although Schriro said it was too early in the process to predict the effectiveness of a partnership with ICE, she said that it would "make the best of a bad situation."
 "We've sat across the table and looked into each other's eyes," said Schriro. "We're building the kinds of relationships we need to be successful."