Thread: Feds catch more who come back after being deported

Feds catch more who come back after being deported
By Tim Smith • CAPITAL BUREAU • July 7, 2008


COLUMBIA -- South Carolina politicians have long complained that some illegal immigrants have viewed the nation's borders as a revolving door, that deportation is only a temporary setback.


Barbara Gonzalez, a regional spokeswoman for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, said her agency works hard to catch those who return and have increased the numbers of such apprehensions.

From October 2007 through May 2008, she said, investigations by ICE's Office of Detention and Removal Operations led to the prosecution of 3,831 illegal aliens for felony re-entry after deportation, compared to 1,808 such prosecutions in all of fiscal year 2007.

Gonzalez said her agency is "very aggressive" about prosecuting illegal immigrants who return to the country after being deported.

Returning illegals face felony charges if caught, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, she said.

"It's not like they are going to come here and not be held accountable," she said.

Once they serve their sentence, she said, they are deported immediately, without further hearings.

But not everyone is caught or discouraged.

Last December, according to federal prosecutors in South Carolina, Jose Antonio Ferreira-Calderon, a 40-year-old Mexican native, pleaded guilty to charges he made and sold counterfeit green cards.

He was arrested in Surfside Beach after allegedly selling cards to an undercover agent last August. He had been deported twice in 2006, according to prosecutors.

Such examples show how porous the nation's border is, said Margaret Thompson, a Clemson city councilwoman and critic of immigration enforcement.

"Somebody is not doing their job," she said.
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Last December, according to federal prosecutors in South Carolina, Jose Antonio Ferreira-Calderon, a 40-year-old Mexican native, pleaded guilty to charges he made and sold counterfeit green cards.

Did we catch one of Felipe's relatives?

It is unfortunate that over 90% of those who illegally cross our borders are never prosecuted for this violation the first time. If illegal aliens were charged, they would be up for felony charges the second time.

Secure the border and eliminate the revolving door.

Romans 5:8

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeach

It is unfortunate that over 90% of those who illegally cross our borders are never prosecuted for this violation the first time. If illegal aliens were charged, they would be up for felony charges the second time.

Secure the border and eliminate the revolving door.

It IS unfortunate, GeorgiaPeach, but good luck finding an AUSA's office with the time, manpower, and willingness to prosecute them all on federal charges for Entry Without Inspection or admission (EWI). Most AUSA's decline to prosecute these cases, because our court system is already so bogged down. It's frustrating, for sure.