Morristown Mayor Don Cresitello touted a federal immigration law Friday, claiming it would have prevented the recent murder of three Newark college students.

Jose Carranza, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant from Peru, is among three suspects already detained in the case. Carranza was free on bail when the murders occurred, awaiting trial on assault and child rape charges. Police weren't allowed to check on Carranza's immigration status when he was detained, an issue 287 would have resolved, Cresitello said.

Cresitello said the main function of program 287 "is to educate police departments and train people about immigration law." The program's implementation would have prevented the Newark murders, Cresitello said, because one of the suspects would have been behind bars.

Police have detained Carranza and two teens in connection with the execution-style murders that took place behind a school. Police are searching for two additional suspects, with a manhunt reaching as far as Florida, and believe a sixth man could be involved.

The chief justice of New Jersey's Supreme Court has appointed a retired judge to review the conditions surrounding Carranza's bail, which had been set at $150,000.

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