JEROME, Idaho (KMVT-TV) - Immigration is an emotionally–charged issue affecting every state in the nation.

One of the issues here in southern Idaho is a revolving door effect where illegal immigrants are removed, then months, even weeks later, they make their way back into the system.

400,000 people…That's how many Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed from the United States last year.

19 percent, or nearly 100,000 of them, were either repeat violators or immigration fugitives.

This is someone who's been asked to leave the country and has failed to do so.

"Last year out of approximately 1,400 bookings in the Jerome County Jail, 115 were illegal immigrants. Out of those 115, 7 of those were repeat bookings for us. One of them was actually booked in 10 different times," said Chief Deputy Jack Johnson, Jerome Sheriff’s Office.

"A person who re–enters the U.S. after having been removed and comes back in without permission is subject to a penalty of a minimum of two years in Federal prison, up to 20 years," said Steven Branch, ICE Field Office Director, Salt Lake City, Utah.

But, as Branch explains there's no way for ICE to know they're back in the country, until they come into contact with law enforcement again.

"If we cannot determine citizenship then immigration is notified," said Chief Deputy Johnson.

Court documents show that most of the illegal immigrants arrested are employed, in places like the Magic Valley.

"Usually in the agricultural community, not always though," said Chief Deputy Johnson.

Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of ICE, focuses on tracking down those illegal immigrants who pose the largest threat to society.

"With our limited resources we have to prioritize. Those aliens that pose a threat to our national security, violent criminal aliens, and criminal aliens on down, those are our top priority,” said Branch.

Keeping an eye on people who pose a threat is the priority for many across the country and in our own backyard we can count on officers like Deputy Johnson to provide justice.