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Conservative Group Sues Sheriff Dart Over Immigration

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A conservative watch dog group has sued Sheriff Tom Dart for following Cook County laws on the release of immigrants from custody.

Conservative Group Sues Sheriff Dart Over Immigration

Dart says he's following 2011 directive of Cook County Board which directed the Sheriff not to honor federal orders to detain unless feds will fund imprisonment for an additional 48 hours beyond time they would normally be released after questioning or arrest.

The Judicial Watch president says Dart has failed to help immigration officials identify immigrants in custody who could be deported...

"He has chosen to follow a September 2011 Cook County Ordinance directing him to refuse ICE detainers and deny federal agents access," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton

Fitton says Dart has wrongfully followed county board rules and released immigrants after questioning or time served without giving immigration two days to identify and deport them.

Fitton is asking the Cook County Court to hold that feds trump locals and to order that Dart keep the immigrants behind bars until immigration is ready to deport them.

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