In the boiling issue over immigration reform in the country there is one point on which most people agree – it is that individuals with gross criminal records should be deported to their respective countries. But some agencies have stopped reporting criminal perpetration of illegal immigrants to the right authorities.

Earlier in the year officials in a state did not heed the request of ICE to at least notify it before releasing a hardened criminal, who had several conviction charges against him and had been deported back to his country 5 times. Instead he was allowed to go, and how, recently he has been charged of killing a woman fatally. The officials in ICE criticized the action of releasing the criminal rather than turning him over for deportation.

This dispute that is being openly broadcast in the public form brings to light the tension between local agencies and immigration officials. Many feel that it is inappropriate for local agencies to behave as immigration agents. Many people do not report crime or come forward as eyewitnesses simply because they are afraid of getting deported back.

Federal officials have to show law enforcement agencies that they are truly targeting high-priority offenders for deportation and that they are responsive to the concerns of those who must maintain community trust. But local authorities also should be willing to cooperate.