Posted: Monday, March 23, 2015 5:47 pm

BY JAMES COBURN | THE EDMOND SUN

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe issued a statement of concern that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency released back to the United States 30,558 immigrants with criminal records.

“It is time the Obama Administration addresses a dangerous immigration loophole that is allowing criminal aliens to be released back into the United States when their country of origin rejects a deportation request,” Inhofe said.

Many of these immigrants have committed a crime of violence or an aggravated felony, Inhofe said. He said they are free to roam streets and neighborhoods while going unpunished for crimes.

The Keep Our Communities Safe Act would close this loophole, said Inhofe, who vowed to fight for a vote on the legislation.

In January Inhofe introduced Keep Our Communities Safe Act with Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, David Vitter of Louisiana and Ted Cruz of Texas.

Inhofe said the legislation would close the legal loophole created by the U.S. Supreme Court in Zadvydas vs. Davis case. The 2001 case requires immigration authorities to release back into the United States any immigrant that has not been accepted for deportation to other countries after being detained for six months.

“This practice is commonly referred to as ‘catch and release,’ Inhofe said.

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