A recent study indicates that Contra Costa jails have deported more undocumented inmates than its other Bay Area counterparts.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents show that Alameda, Napa and Sonoma counties all boast lower numbers.  At the same time, they continue to remain aggressive in removing illegal aliens.   Current regulations require county jails submit fingerprints of new arrestees to the Department of Homeland Security in order to verify their citizenship.   If it is determined the defendant is in the country illegally, ICE will place a hold on them which disallows a friend or family member to bond that person out.   Those detainers are approximately 48 hours in length, which allows immigration officials time to process the defendant's transfer to ICE custody.

Detaining undocumented defendants is not mandatory.  Many counties have turned a blind eye to the policy, saying they will only hold illegal immigrants if the federal government begins to reimburse costs associated with keeping them locked up.  Immigration rights activists are hopeful to get a similar policy to be introduced within Contra Costa jails.

Sheriff David Livingston has reportedly indicated he is reconsidering his current stance although a firm decision has not been made.  A spokesperson for his office said they are trying to look at the current policy from all angles.   They are still gathering data, they said.

Contra Costa jails have not indicated when they will issue their final decision.