U.S. Reps question DHS on detainee releases
By Elizabeth Aguilera11:52 a.m.March 11, 2013
U-T San Diego
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U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter — David Brooks
Nearly 40 members of the House of Representatives are demanding answers regarding the release of hundreds of unauthorized immigrant detainees in recent weeks by the Department of Homeland Security.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, is one of the leaders of the effort, and co-signor of the letter sent to DHS, to quantify how many detainees were released, who decided to release them, where they were released from, future release plans and criteria used to determine who was released.
The letter sent Monday to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said:
“Your agency’s decision to release “low-risk” illegal immigrants back into the public under the guise of saving money is extraordinary, unprecedented and dangerous. We understand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), like all federal agencies, must find cost savings in order to comply with their new budget allocation. However it is frankly irresponsible that your agency chose releasing detained immigrants as its first effort to control spending.
“The inability of DHS to prioritize resources for potential cuts suggests this decision was either politically motivated to further the Administration’s amnesty goals or, at best, demonstrates agency incompetence.”
U.S. Reps letter to DHS regarding release of unauthorized immigrant detainees
The letter stresses public safety concerns and refers to local media reports across the country about releases that involved detainees who had been convicted of crimes.
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to question ICE officials during a Thursday hearing on immigration enforcement about the releases and sequestration. Watch it live at 10 a.m. est (or 7 a.m. pacific): HERE.
In response to queries about the releases two weeks ago, ICE released the following statement:
“In order to make the best use of our limited detention resources in the current fiscal climate and to manage our detention population under current congressionally mandated levels, ICE has directed field offices to review the detained population to ensure it is in line with available funding. As a result of this review, a number of detained aliens have been released around the country and placed on an appropriate, more cost-effective form of supervised release. ICE is continuing to prosecute their cases in immigration court, and when ordered, will seek their removal from the country.”
DHS and ICE did not release figures on how many detainees were released. However, the Associated Press has reported that up to 2,000 detainees were released nationwide and thousands more will be freed this month based on an agency document it reviewed.
The Representatives are not the only ones seeking answers. In Arizona, Sen. John McCain has also sent a letter to Napolitano for an explanation of why and how the releases were made.
Monday’s letter is the second one Hunter has sent to Napolitano in the last month.
Document
Rep. Hunter's letter to Napolitano regarding border fencing
On Feb. 8 Hunter requested a response from the Secretary about the Secure Fence Act and the completion of “no less than 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border.”
In testimony before Congress, Napolitano has said all but three miles of the fencing has been completed but Hunter questions the accuracy of that statement and is awaiting a response.
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