Thread: New program allows illegal immigrants time before deportatio

New program allows illegal immigrants time before deportation
They will have time before deportation
By Vanessa Bauzá | Chicago Tribune reporter
August 1, 2008

Starting next week, a new pilot program will allow illegal immigrants who have ignored deportation orders to turn themselves in without being arrested. In exchange for surrendering, the immigrants will get up to three months to make arrangements for their children or spouses, gather their savings or make other preparations before leaving the country.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement program, dubbed "Operation Scheduled Departure" is aimed at about 457,000 illegal immigrants who have deportation orders but no criminal history. It will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 22 in Chicago; Santa Ana, Calif.; San Diego; Phoenix and Charlotte, and could be expanded.

Volunteers may be required to wear electronic ankle monitors or report to ICE by phone periodically, according to a news release. ICE would make travel arrangements for those who cannot pay for flights back to their home countries.

"The program addresses concerns raised by aliens, community groups and Immigration attorneys who say ICE unnecessarily disrupts families while enforcing the law," Julie Myers, homeland security assistant secretary for ICE, said in a statement. "By participating in the scheduled departure program, those who have had their day in court and have been ordered to leave the country have an opportunity to comply with the law and gain control of how their families are affected by their removal."

ICE has 90 "fugitive operations" teams around the country to track down illegal immigrants with outstanding deportation orders.

"This is an opportunity for them to come forward instead of waiting for the day ICE officers come to the door," said agency spokeswoman Gail Montenegro.

Some lawmakers have criticized ICE's recent, large-scale raid at an Iowa meatpacking plant that netted nearly 400 undocumented workers. Several advocacy groups on Thursday rejected the new program as a poor substitute for Immigration reform.

"It's the political silly season, and this is a very silly idea which seems more about public relations than solutions," said Josh Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "They are trying to put a happy face on some very brutal actions that have been destroying families."

Flor Crisostomo, an illegal immigrant who sought sanctuary in a Humboldt Park church after defying a January deportation deadline, laughed when asked if she would consider surrendering to ICE.

"This is the most ridiculous thing. We know this is not going to work," said Crisostomo, 29, of Mexico. "How can they ask us to self deport when they know our country depends on the money we send. To accept this new proposal means we are accepting abandoning our families."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 4707.story

ARE THEY PUTTING MONITORING DEVICE ON THE ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIENS?