Thread: FL-Self deportation "absurd"

Miami Herald


Posted on Wed, Aug. 06, 2008
Self-deportation program criticized as `a fantasy'
BY LAURA ISENSEE
Federal authorities debuted a new strategy this week for tracking down undocumented immigrants: Turn yourself in and deport yourself.
Dubbed ''Operation Scheduled Departure,'' the pilot program was launched Tuesday in five cities nationwide: Santa Ana and San Diego in California; Phoenix; Chicago, and Charlotte, N.C.

It runs through Aug. 22 and could expand to other cities and states, including Florida, ''depending on its success,'' said Nicole Navas, spokeswoman with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

`IT'S ABSURD'

Local immigration advocates ridiculed the pilot program. The consensus: It's going to be a hard sell.

'If they think people are going to leave before being detained, go to the office and say `Here I am,' it's absurd,'' said Nora Sandigo, executive director of Miami-based American Fraternity.

''It's a fantasy very far from reality,'' Sandigo said.

The program is part of the federal government's latest effort to combat illegal immigration following last year's failed effort in Congress to reform the immigration system.

Currently, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, including between 800,000 and 950,000 in Florida, live in the United States, according to a 2005 study by Pew Hispanic Center. Through the initiative, only those immigrants with final orders of deportation can turn themselves in to authorities. Some may arrange for family members to go with them.

Those who qualify will not be sent to a detention center to await final deportation. Instead, they will be placed under supervision and may be required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Ineligible for the program are those with criminal records and those who have remained undetected by federal authorities. They would be detained through the regular deportation process.

Immigration advocates argue that the current anti-immigrant sentiment along with the economic downturn are already causing many undocumented immigrants to return home on their own.

''I get a sense of real frustration on their part,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. ``They're feeling very unwelcome and add to that a tanking economy which is making it more difficult for them to earn a decent living.''

The self-deportation program offers no long-term solution, said Jose Lagos, head of Honduran Unity, a Miami-based nonprofit. ''The solution is comprehensive immigration reform,'' he said.

Voluntary departure is something local anti-illegal immigration group Citizens of Dade United has lobbied for several years, said Enos Schera, vice president of the group.

''It's a good idea because they'll be leaving on their own,'' Schera said.

Federal officials say they are confident they are on the right course. ICE Director Julie Myers said eligible immigrants now have the opportunity to leave the country with, in some cases, the government paying the travel costs.

Myers has gone to Spanish-language airwaves to promote the program. Appearing on Univisión, she told anchor Jorge Ramos: ``The program basically gives an opportunity to those seeking an organized way to self-deport.''

BUSED HOME

The federal government tried a similar strategy in 2004 when it set up daily flights from Tucson, Ariz., to Mexico City or Guadalajara for Mexican nationals caught along the U.S. border. From there, immigrants were bused to their hometowns. The $13 million voluntary repatriation program was meant to lessen deaths in the desert and restrict smuggling rings.

Whether undocumented immigrants buy into the program remains to be seen, but some like Armando Lacayo, who lives in South Florida, wouldn't rule it out if deemed eligible.

''Loneliness, anxiety, years away from your family and home -- it overwhelms you,'' said Lacayo, 41, who left behind his wife and two sons in his native Nicaragua. He plans to join them soon.

''I prefer to leave on my own,'' Lacayo said.





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absurd or not, pro-illegals are now going to look even more stupid arguing against ICE enforcement. We are giving those foreigners an opportunity to leave and right their law breaking, so to speak. So if they don't take up our offer, we are not allowed to enforce our own laws. Hey pro-illegal crowd, you will look even more like anarchists!

The self-deportation program offers no long-term solution, said Jose Lagos, head of Honduran Unity, a Miami-based nonprofit. ''The solution is comprehensive immigration reform,'' he said.

"Comprehensive immigration reform" is your pipe dream amigo, we said NO how many times already?? We meant HELL NO!

The self-deportation program offers IA fugutives a way to get out in a more orderly fashion without worrying about raids. It's a limited time offer, I don't care if they take it or not. Don't come whining when you get caught and deported. It's only a matter of time.

The only long-term solution is attrition thru enforcement - and guess what? It works and we the people DEMAND it!

My hope and prayer is that this is leading up to a MAJOR crackdown in some cities. When the poor illegal workers cry about splitting up families and the lawyers file law suits, ICE can say "We gave you a chance" at an easier option.
I wish this was Nation wide. ICE needs to tell them that this is their ONE chance to go willingly. All others will do jail time.

However, if I wanted to self deport, I would just go without turning myself over to ICE. The group being targeted already faces a 10 year bar to re entry. Some of them would face felony re-entry charges.

''I get a sense of real frustration on their part,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. ``They're feeling very unwelcome and add to that a tanking economy which is making it more difficult for them to earn a decent living.''


Frustration??!!! Cheryl you can't even imagine the frustration we Americans feel about this issue.

Unwelcome?? What everyday American issued an invitation??

Decent living?? Don't even go there Cheryl.