Local attorneys overwhelmed by deportation hearings

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project reports that in Yakima alone, the number of inmates held on suspicion of violating immigration laws has tripled.

Last year there were about 51-inmates housed in the county jail because of ICE holds, this year over 140.

A reality, that has attorney's overwhelmed.

"ICE is basically grabbing anyone they can get their hands on and this includes people who have not committed a crime, have committed very low crimes, people who are just in the process of reporting themselves," said attorney David Morales.

Morales adding, it's difficult to keep up because there are very few attorneys who do immigration work in the area, and because of fear its leading many to not report crimes or act as witnesses.

The number of deportation hearings are mounting up in the state and local attorneys are having a hard time keeping up. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project reports that in Yakima alone, the number of inmates held on suspicion of violating immigration laws has tripled. Last year there were about 51-inmates housed in the county jail because of ICE holds, this year over 140. A reality, that has attorney's overwhelmed. "ICE is basically grabbing anyone they can get their hands on and this includes people who have not committed a crime, have committed very low crimes, people who are just in the process of reporting themselves," said attorney David Morales. Morales adding, it's difficult to keep up because there are very few attorneys who do immigration work in the area, and because of fear its leading many to not report crimes or act as witnesses.