Faced with criticism that hardened felons are being set free to commit more crimes, Cook County officials wrestled Thursday with a controversial local ordinance that prohibits the sheriff’s office from cooperating with detention requests from federal immigration officials.

Since the ordinance was passed in September, County Jail authorities have ignored federal requests to hold for up to 48 hours suspected illegal immigrants picked up for other crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies.

In that time, the county has released 346 suspected illegal immigrants after they’ve posted bond. Another 148 suspected illegal immigrants remain in jail on charges included murder, aggravated battery and sexual assault — but are eligible for release if they make bail, Sheriff Tom Dart said during Thursday’s sometimes heated hearing.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.