An early version of this story mistakenly related an anecdote about an alleged murderer who was deported.
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday joined Sheriff Tom Dart and State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to push for an end to the "unfunded mandate" of immigration detainers required by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Per the mandate, the Cook County Jail holds inmates suspected of immigration violations for up to two business days longer than their criminal cases to turn them over to the agency.
But that costs money, Preckwinkle asserts along with nine commissioners sponsoring the proposal, and she says the county isn't being paid for it.
To help clear Cook County Jail and save some cash, Preckwinkle wants to free those wanted inmates unless the extra jail time is paid for by the feds. Preckwinkle says it costs $142.80 a day to keep a person jailed each day.
The move is catching some flak from Board Commissioner Timothy Schneider, who told WBEZ the county can't disregard the rule of law.
“If they’re illegal they should be deported,” Schneider said.
Hernandez-Barroso, who was flown from Chicago to Texas Tuesday before being escorted over the border, was charged with allegedly killing the woman after a party in 2005.
As the women who supposedly denied him dances left, he allegedly fired shots at their truck, striking a woman in the head.
“Ivan Hernandez-Barroso is a violent criminal who tried to escape justice in Mexico by hiding in the United States,” said Ricardo Wong, field office director for ICE ERO in Chicago. “We will not tolerate international fugitives who think they can outrun the law by seeking safe haven in this country.”
