Oregon county finds drunk driving frequent among illegal aliens

Oregon’s Clackamas County reported more illegal alien drunken drivers to immigration authorities in one recent month than in the previous 18 months combined.

Police began a crackdown after a major local newspaper reported that authorities had missed a chance to deport an illegal immigrant who had been convicted in November 2006 of driving drunk. Just eight months later, the illegal alien was accused of killing a local teenager.

The crackdown reflected public outrage over the killing and a new push by federal authorities to get the state’s jails to assist in identifying those who violate immigration laws. The State Sheriff's Association said that across Oregon, jails are now making more referrals to immigration authorities.