Twenty-two inmates suspected of being illegal immigrants — some accused of ordinary misdemeanors — have been referred for deportation under a new program at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, Maj. Peter Meletis said Thursday.

The immigrant community has been bracing for news about whether the program would apply to everyone arrested or only to serious, violent offenders. Two people charged with trespassing are facing deportation, along with someone accused of murder and another person accused of rape.

“The worst of the worst is what they claimed,” said John Steinbach, a coordinator with the Mexicanos Sin Fronteras immigrant organization. “The problem is there are a significant number of folks whose offenses likely wouldn’t involve prison time.”

There may have been other information in a federal database that triggered more intense interest in someone charged with a minor offense, Meletis said.

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The launch of the program to speed deportations, called a 287 (g) arrangement, between jail officials and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being closely watched as other counties weigh starting similar programs.

Nationally, more than 20,000 illegal immigrants have been referred for possible deportation, but no statistics are available on how many have actually been deported.

Considering the computer system needed to run the system at the jail has yet to arrive, Meletis said, the jail’s early implementation has shown the program is already working. The inmates would not have been referred to ICE under the old system, he said.

Supporters hail the preliminary efforts to remove dangerous criminals from the country, while critics lament that minor violations may result in life-changing punishment.

The crimes in Prince William County run the gamut from five misdemeanor assault charges to a repeat driving while intoxicated charge to a felony kidnapping case. Others face charges involving driving while intoxicated, burglary, parole violations and drugs.

“I’m thrilled that all of them are off the streets,” Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart said. “The fact is that if somebody is an illegal immigrant, they should be deported. The fact that they’ve committed a crime on top of being an illegal immigrant makes it that much more important that we deport them.”

dgenz@dcexaminer.com