New Mexico's most populous county no longer will keep inmates in jail while their immigration status is being checked if there's no order to keep them in custody once they've posted bail.
Bernalillo County officials say the new policy means the county won't keep inmates confined at the Metropolitan Detention Center merely on the basis of a request from immigration authorities.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, County Attorney Randy Autio said the policy change is a result of court cases around the country.
He said authorities can't violate somebody's civil rights for the convenience of a government agency.
Autio says the county will still communicate with federal agents and notify them if there's been a release order.
Information from: Albuquerque Journal.
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