Tulsa law enforcement volunteers for federal immigration program

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa area law enforcement want more authority in dealing with illegal immigrants.<br/><br/>That's the message Thursday from Police Chief Dave Been and Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley

Thursday, August 19th 2004, 10:35 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa area law enforcement want more authority in dealing with illegal immigrants.

That's the message Thursday from Police Chief Dave Been and Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz.

They met with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at First District Congressman John Sullivan's office about a new pilot program.

The program gives local officers training and powers to identify, detain and begin deportation proceedings for illegal immigrants who commit crimes. The program is being tested in Florida and Alabama.

Sullivan says Oklahoma's geography near the Mexico border and along major highways makes it a crossroads for illegal immigrants.

Been and Glanz stress the program would not be used to crack down on otherwise law-abiding immigrants.