http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005- ... 643986.htm


US frees 130,000 illegal immigrants

www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-19 00:12:23


WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- In the budget year which ended Sept. 30, the United States allowed some 130,000 arrested illegal immigrants to "disappear" within the country just because there isno place to hold them, a senior official said Tuesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee that the "catch-and-go" policy is not likely to be reversed within a year.

During the last budget year, US authorities caught over 160,000 non-Mexican illegal immigrants, but only 30,000 of them have been deported while the others were released simply because there was no place to hold them.

Few of the released ever reported to the authorities again and just "disappeared" within the United States, said Chertoff.

For the nearly 900,000 Mexicans caught illegally entering United States every year, they are sent back immediately under a pact between the two countries, he said.

However, for non-Mexican illegal immigrants, the country still lacks effective tools to handle them, according to Chertoff.

At present, details of the US immigration system reform are still undecided.

US President George W. Bush has proposed a comprehensive approach including gaining control of the border, enforcing workplace laws and establishing a temporary worker program.

Some Senators proposed to give illegal immigrants five years toleave the country, while others said such people should be allowed to apply for a temporary visa for up to six years, and after whichthey must return home or apply for permanent residency.

Local analysts said it is unlikely for the US government and lawmakers to put together an immigration policy before January next year. Enditem