West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Tuesday that approximately 58 people had been detained in the state pending verification of their immigration status, following his order for cooperation between Charleston and federal immigration authorities. Morrisey, a Republican, emphasized his support for President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, citing the role of illegal immigration and cartel smuggling in the state’s high rate of drug overdose deaths. The Department of Health & Human Resources reported 1,389 drug overdose deaths in 2023, down slightly from the peak in 2021. Morrisey stressed the importance of collaboration with the Trump administration to address these issues.
The move to detain suspected illegal immigrant criminals received praise from state officials, including State Del. Wayne Clark and Huntington Police Chief Phil Watkins, who expressed support for recent ICE operations. The Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation confirmed that it is detaining suspects at the request of federal agencies such as ICE and the FBI. Morrisey commended Trump’s efforts and pledged to take appropriate steps to protect citizens and address illegal immigration. He promised a further update on Thursday and emphasized the significance of preventing unnecessary deaths in West Virginia. Overall, the governor’s actions underscore the state’s commitment to addressing the illegal immigration crisis and its impact on public health and safety.
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