Illegal immigrants currently being held in jails across the nation, including in Georgia, are about to be released because the Department of Homeland Security doesn't have enough money.
Most federal government agencies are looking at areas they can cut ahead of the potential sequester set to go into effect on March 1.
At a Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, where they were voting on a federal immigration program, people commented on the potential release of those immigrants.
Amy Barnes said if money is tight, it's the right thing to do.
"I think the large majority of ICE arrestees are nonviolent, and it just costs too much, it's thousands of dollars. To keep an inmate up can cost as much as $40,000," Barnes said. "It is fiscally conservative because we will not be funding these people's three squares and a cot."
Other say releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants is dangerous and is just a scare tactic.
"This is ridiculous. The president just spent about $21 million going on vacation. If it was truly a budget issue we could cut back on different priorities," said DA King.
In an average week, there are a little more than 30,000 illegal immigrants held in facilities across the country. It is costly, but some say Republicans and Democrats need to work together to find the best and safest solution.
"People are using some excuses to do anything to stop the sequester and we don't know really where that line was taken on releasing people from prison," said Bill Bolton. "Everybody's fighting this political ball and they're trying to make it hurt."
An ICE spokesman told FOX 5's Denise Dillon that some illegal immigrants currently held in Georgia facilities will be among those released, but he would not give a specific number of how many.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
