GASTONIA, N.C. -- A report released about two weeks ago showed a record number of illegal immigrants identified and deported in the Carolinas. That number is now expected to go up dramatically with a new program that in essence puts immigration officers in every holding facility in the state.

Every inmate booked at the Gaston County jail is fingerprinted and photographed. It is also one of seven holding facilities across North Carolina to verify immigration status through the 287g program.

“The 287g program in Gaston County has worked really well,” said Sheriff Alan Cloninger. “We've detained approximately 30 individuals who have entered the country illegally each month."

Gaston and three other counties across the state -- Buncombe, Henderson and Wake -- are part of a program by Immigration Customs Enforcement to better identify illegals. The new program takes fingerprints and cross references them against the FBI and now ICE's databases.

"So, by local law enforcement and booking facilities across the country having this new technology, we're going to be able to identify those that pose the greatest threat to the community and that don't belong here in the United States because they're here illegally," said ICE spokesperson Barbara Gonzalez.

Cloninger said the new program is not to replace the current 287g program.

“We have it here again as a check system to make sure the system is working right," he said.

It's also a less expensive alternative for other holding facilities that will now help in the effort to find and deport illegal immigrants. The 287g program identified more than 3,100 people this year who were processed for deportation. With this new program and cooperation, that number is expected to grow dramatically.

“We're going to have a virtual ICE presence in every booking center in the nation,” said Gonzalez. “So we anticipate that it is going to increase our numbers even more."

ICE hopes to have the program available in every holding facility in the country in the next four years.