Wants To Know: ICE Comes Under Scrutiny of Elected Officials

Posted: July 25, 2008 08:00 PM EDT

http://www.fox4now.com/Global/story.asp?S=8738626


Florida lawmakers are shocked over the fact that a federal ICE policy that set someone like Abel Arango free even exists.

Arango, whom police say is responsible for Officer Andrew Widman's death, was not even supposed to be in the country. As a convicted felon, a judge ordered Arango to be deported back to his native country of Cuba. But Cuba wouldn't take him back.

With that, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, had to let him go and Arango was free to walk the streets. This is a federal policy that has shocked many here in Southwest Florida, especially Fox 4 viewers. ICE will not answer the viewers' questions about why this policy exists and what should be done about it.

Now Four In Your Corner is taking the viewers' concerns to the elected officials who could change the federal policy. Senator Burt Saunders (R- District 37) is one of the lawmakers speaking out against the policy. As a state senator, he has no control over federal law. However, this year Saunders is running as an Independent for the Congressional seat in District 14. It's currently held by Republican Connie Mack.

Saunders says there are a few ways Congress could and should change the policy.

"Congress could change the law that has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to make it clear that these individuals could be held longer. Number two, there could be arrangements to provide for the deportation without the consent of the Cuban government. Remember we have a military base in Cuba. We have the ability to take people to that military base. We could have simply taken that gentleman there and released him without the consent of the Cuban government," explains Saunders. He calls this incident a complete failure of the system.

Four In Your Corner also contacted Southwest Florida's federal lawmakers. Fox 4 called Congressmen Connie Mack, Tim Mahoney and Mario Diaz-Balart. Fox 4 also contacted U.S. Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson.

Only Connie Mack's press office responded with this statement from the Congressman:

"There is simply no excuse for the total failure of our immigration and judicial systems to allow a criminal like Abel Arango to be set free. I met with officials from ICE yesterday to discuss the events leading up to Officer Widman's senseless death. I left the meeting even more frustrated by the bureaucratic red tape that surrounds this tragedy. It's crystal clear that change is needed to ensure something like this never happens again. Not only will I keep trying to get answers from ICE and other federal agencies, I intend to talk with state and local officials about how we can better improve our nation's immigration and criminal laws to keep thugs like Arango off our streets and behind bars. The people of Southwest Florida and the rest of the nation deserve answers."

Related Stories:

System Fails Murdered Fort Myers Police Officer
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-124150-widman.html

Fox 4 viewers jam ICE phones, demanding answers in the Widman case
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-124656-widman.html

Fox 4 Travels to Miami to Get Answers from ICE
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-124601-widman.html

ICE fires back: Fox 4 has "chosen to ignore the facts" in the Abel Arango case
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-124770-widman.html

Fox 4 Viewers blast back at ICE: the form letter is not cutting it
http://www.fox4now.com/Global/story.asp?S=8729389