In a statement Tuesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva cited the pandemic and the county's undocumented immigrant community, saying the fear over possible deportation could hinder criminal investigations. "As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I am responsible for everyone’s public safety, regardless of immigration status. The Los Angeles County jail system is the largest in the U.S. and has grappled with high COVID-19 infection rates among inmates. In the absence of inmate transfers, Villanueva encouraged ICE to use a "constitutionally sound judicial warrant system" to take inmates in the county jail system into federal custody. He added that his office will work with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office to apprehend suspected criminals who flee the U.S.

Source: Fox News August 19, 2020 01:18 UTC