>>"The U.S. Justice Department estimated that 270,000 illegal immigrants served jail time nationally in 2003. Of those, 108,000 were in California. Some estimates show illegals now make up half of California's prison population, creating a massive criminal subculture that strains state budgets and creates a nightmare for local police forces."

>Using the same numbers as before:

>108000/619000 = 17%

>Still only half of the 30% you cite. Even if you add the fugitives, it doesn't make that much difference. (Worth noting, too, that since this is 2003 inmate population and 619,000 was a 2000 number that we think is low, 17% is probably an overestimate.)

>I suspect that 30% you heard was somebody speculating or making it up.

Maybe, maybe not. Even if your guess is right, 17% is still quite significant.
But like I said, if we can filter out the criminal elements from the illegals, I wouldn't mind it too much. The good ones are always welcome in my book.

Note: the article says according to some estimates, illegal make up about 50% of California prison population. So throw out the high and the low and I'll take 25 - 30 as a good estimate.