Thread: Homeland Security Seeks Deportation Aid

May 19, 2006, 7:56PM

Homeland Security Seeks Deportation Aid


By LARA JAKES JORDAN Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — It will take nearly 35,000 more jail beds to end a much-criticized "catch and release" program for dangerous illegal immigrants in the United States, but the Bush administration has not budgeted enough to do that, the Homeland Security Department's internal watchdog said Friday.

The White House proposes spending $386 million, which would pay for 6,700 beds but not enough to detain all high-risk aliens, Inspector General Richard L. Skinner said in a 52-page report.

The new report highlighted shortfalls in deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the United States or are from countries that sponsor terrorism or protect terrorists.

It also warned of "significant risks" posed by the inability of U.S. customs and border enforcement officers to identify whether immigrants released from jail were linked to terror groups.

In an administration pledge to crack down on illegal immigrants, the Homeland Security Department has vowed to end "catch and release" _ ticketing and freeing people in the United States illegally instead of detaining them _ by fall.

Skinner's report said 36 percent of the 774,112 illegal aliens apprehended in the U.S. during the past three years were released because there weren't enough beds or money available to hold them while officials determined their immigration status.

The number of illegal aliens who were caught increased by 19 percent from 2002 through 2004, but the number of beds for them actually dropped by 6 percent, the report added.

The bed space, personnel and funding shortages, among other factors, have "created an unofficial 'mini-amnesty' program for criminal and other high-risk aliens," the report concluded.

The Senate late Thursday approved adding 20,000 beds to the estimated 19,000 currently available as part of a broad immigration-border security bill moving toward a final vote next week. A House bill also up for a vote next week would add 4,870 beds next year.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/ ... 75971.html

How about the TENT CITIES both our Katrina folks AND our soldiers are using?

Very economical and quick to assemble. From what I understand the military can whip those together and create a little city in the blink of an eye.

What?????? $386 million for 6,700 more "beds"?

Soooo.....is the Carlyle Group bidding the contracts on a "no bid contract"?

Wouldn't you know the Bush Cronies would try to rip off the Americans on yet another scheme.

That's almost $58,000 a "bed"....what are they putting them in...an ICU?

God help us if we don't get these people out of our White House....now.

We're spending $529 million in Iraq for a new Embassy for 8,000 "employees". That's $66,000 a "worker" with the most advanced security system in the world; a 15 foot thick concrete barrier around the entire perimeter; swimming pools; gymnasium; work out rooms; restaurants; and all the "glory" of an embassy...of first class diplomatic office space.

And the White House wants to spend $58,000 a "bed" for a bunch of illegal aliens waiting for confirmation that they are "illegal"?

Yeah...well....okay.....2.5 more years of this crap and it won't matter who wins the election in 2008...because we'll be owned by China...lock, stock and 'beds".

HUH?

I inferred that, since the government claims that there are not enough beds/housing to hold the Illegals, instead of waiting to "build" structures, use TENT CITIES. Sheriff Arpaio seems to have great success with them.

Why take AGAIN tax payer money to build these outrageous structures to house people who aren't even citizens?

I agree 6,700 beds for 386 million is ridiculous, another example of how they do not really want to enforce our laws and also how they spend our tax dollars. What else is being purchased for that 386 million besides the 6,700 beds? The government always uses inflated pricing for everything as they hide within the price other purchases that they do not tell the american public about.

$386 million!!! Where are they staying, at the Trump Towers, or the Hilton

I think the same guy who brokered the deal for the FEEMA cruise ships must have set this up.

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

How about the TENT CITIES both our Katrina folks AND our soldiers are using?

Very economical and quick to assemble. From what I understand the military can whip those together and create a little city in the blink of an eye.

our goverment makes it no secret that they are more concerned about illegals than their own citizens. Putting illegals in tents would be a violation of the 'constitutional rights' -- but women and children can live in tents without electricity and running water in their own country. I wonder how long Katrina victims will be in pup tents

That famous sheriff in Arizona puts illegals in WWII tents. Not Club Med but it's not as though they are invited guests. They supposedly toughed out miles of desert, so this should be no big deal.

Want to get together and sponsor a bus?