Ariz. sheriff ending policy of holding immigrants past release date

The Phoenix area’s new sheriff is scrapping the policy of holding inmates past their release date, which was used to assist federal authorities on immigration background checks.

According to the Associated Press, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced the policy change late on Friday during a press conference.

The practice of holding illegal immigrants longer than their release date was instituted by Penzone’s predecessor, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, an early backer of President Trump.

{mosads}According to the report, Penzone cited legal concerns when justifying his decision to end the controversial policy.

The new sheriff also said that immigration authorities will continue to remain within his jails but will no longer have extra time to start deportation procedures for detained illegal immigrants.

Penzone defeated Arpaio in the 2016 election after Arpaio’s contentious immigration policies were challenged in court.