ICE’s new self-deport program
Por Wendy Hess
18:53 | 07/08/08

It’s no shock to anyone in our country that we have a problem with illegal immigration. What is shocking, however, is how our government, through a new ICE program, is now proposing to handle it. A recent ICE notice reads as follows:

It’s no shock to anyone in our country that we have a problem with illegal immigration. What is shocking, however, is how our government, through a new ICE program, is now proposing to handle it. A recent ICE notice reads as follows:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced today the launch of a pilot program, Scheduled Departure, which will begin next week in five cities. The program allows fugitive aliens who have no criminal history and pose no threat to the community an opportunity to remain out of custody while they coordinate their removal with ICE.

The program complements ICE's Fugitive Operations Program which targets fugitive aliens for arrest and removal from the United States. ICE's fugitive operations teams give top priority to cases involving fugitive aliens who pose a threat to national security and community safety. There are 90 active fugitive operations teams, with 14 more scheduled to be deployed in the next two months. Fugitive operations teams will continue to carry out targeted enforcement operations throughout the country.

"This program addresses concerns raised by aliens, community groups, and immigration attorneys who say ICE unnecessarily disrupts families while enforcing the law," said Julie L. Myers, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE.

Initially, the Scheduled Departure Program will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 22 and may be expanded. Participation in the program ends the risk of sudden arrest and detention for certain non-criminal fugitives. Those with families can particularly benefit from this program. It allows qualifying aliens to make removal arrangements without being held in custody, which will ease their transition and minimize the impact of their removal on their loved ones. In addition, ICE will allow eligible participants to arrange for their families to depart together, should they so desire.’’

What does this new program really mean and is it a good thing? It all depends upon your point of view. If you’re the government and want to try to clean up the approximate 572,000 ICE fugitives in the United States, including 457,000 who do not have criminal histories, maybe. If you’re an “ICE fugitiveâ€