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Lancaster, Sarpy counties ax immigration detainers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two of Nebraska's most populous counties have stopped honoring federal requests to hold suspected immigrants in jail without a warrant.

Lancaster and Sarpy counties have joined Hall County in requiring a warrant for such holds, which have come under intense scrutiny from civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska and nonprofit immigrant advocate group Justice for our Neighbors hope to sway officials with Douglas County — Nebraska's largest — to stop the practice, too.

The 48-hour immigration detainers are issued to local law enforcement by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, asking that immigrants who have been arrested be held for two days after they would normally be released so that federal immigration officials can initiate an investigation and take people into custody, if necessary.

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