Citizens demand action on illegal immigration Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C.-- In a move that is reportedly frustrating the federal immigration officials to no end, many law enforcement agencies are now refusing to hold illegal immigrants for federal processing. According to a report published by Fox News, more than 275 counties in 42 states now refuse to honor long standing requests from the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to notify them prior to releasing illegal immigrants that were arrested for various crimes. The reason, says a source close to law enforcement, is fear of retribution by liberal based, pro-immigrant organizations. One of the biggest challenges to law enforcement, which contributed to the change in policy, comes from the ACLU, who claim that law enforcement treat ICE detainers like warrants. ICE is relying on this shortcut that casts this wide drag net that has caught U.S. citizens who have been jailed mistakenly as a result of these detainers, says Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project. The notion that if these counties dont honor these ICE detainers it puts people at risk is simply a fiction. The backlash has resulted in some states, such as Colorado and California, making it unlawful for local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE, thus effectively tying the hands of law enforcement. Many offenders being released, says ICE Field Supervisory Agent David Marin, include murder suspects, gang bangers and drug traffickers. Statistics show of these convicted felons, 75 percent of them are going to re-offend,said Marin. So if we can get them in the jails before they get an opportunity to reoffend and create more victims, for us it is a win-win situation. By law enforcement agencies not honoring our detainers, it really undermines our authority and our mission, which is to go out and protect the public. According to data released by ICE, 62 percent out of the 8,811 illegal aliens released this year had been previously charged with or convicted of a crime, most of those crimes being felonies. The change in policy has outraged many pro-immigration reform and victim rights advocates. Republican Representative Lamar Smith of Texas blasted the Obama administrations lackluster stance on crime when it comes to illegal immigrants. “If the administration is serious about enforcing the law and expediting deportations, it will hold sanctuary cities accountable and end the catch-and-release practices that undermine our immigration laws,” said, Smith. According to the Fox News report, some 9,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records who would have been otherwise deported from the U.S., were released back onto the streets as a direct result of the new policy
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 04:20:45 +0000
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