Border Patrol Contract Workers Allegedly Released Illegals

(AP) – A Border Patrol contractor says two of its employees have been arrested for investigation of releasing illegal immigrants from federal custody.

Wackenhut Corp. says the employees were arrested Sunday in the San Diego area and are in jail facing felony charges. For about two years, Wackenhut has held a contract to return

illegal immigrants to Mexico after they are captured by Border Patrol agents.

A senior vice president, Marc Shapiro, told The Associated Press Tuesday that this is the first time Wackenhut employees have been arrested for allegedly releasing immigrants. He said his company has returned more 1 million illegal immigrants to Mexico.

Shapiro declined to name the suspects. A Border Patrol spokesman had no immediate comment.

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