A local sheriff said federal authorities instructed his deputies to release illegal immigrants a number of times.

Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told local law enforcement to release about 30 illegal immigrants over the last year, not including the 20 released on Tuesday.

"It's not unusual at all to stop illegals ... on the interstate. It's pretty common practice. For this case to get that much attention is kind of confusing," Thompson said.

Ohio County, W.Va., police said federal officials have also instructed them to let illegal immigrants go.

West Virginia officials estimated that about 80 people have been pulled over and set free, and in all of those cases ICE officials told deputies to let the immigrants go.

Thompson said, in some instances, illegal immigrants were detained then taken into custody by ICE officials. He said in those cases, the persons were wanted felons.

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-Renee Cardelli & John Paul, NEWS9