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DHS Janet Napolitano
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced major changes to the 287g program which helps local law enforcement identify illegal alien arrestees, and begins the deportation process. The program has been extremely popular with communities inundated with illegal aliens. Unfortunately, we see far too many instances of illegal aliens repeatedly committing crimes such as drunk driving and child molestation, before they are taken of the streets. Since 2006, more than 1,000 law-enforcement officers have been trained and certified by the federal program. Currently, 77 local police departments participate in 287(g). Both Virginia and North Carolina lead the country in the number of local departments participating. The program allows police to investigate a suspect’s immigration status after an arrest had been made for any offense. Under the new guidelines, police will only be allowed to do so in cases where a serious crime has been committed. John Morton, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said: "In a world of limited resources, our view is that we need to focus first and foremost on people committing crimes in our community who should not be here." Despite the newly watered-down regulations, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told reporters: “If I'm told not to enforce immigration law except if the alien is a violent criminal, my answer to that is we are still going to do the same thing, 287g or not. We have been very successful." Under Sheriff Arpaio, his department has either identified in jail or arrested more than 30,000 illegal aliens in and around Phoenix, AZ . In fact, it is that success which many believe has prompted Attorney General Eric Holder to open an investigation of Sheriff Arpaio, focusing mainly on so-called ‘racial-profiling.’ Of course, Obama was elected in great measure due to strong support among Latinos, and Arpaio’s removal of over 30,000 mostly Mexican illegal aliens has angered the Latino community. The Wall Street Journal recently spoke to another sheriff whose department also participates 287g. Wake County, N.C. Sheriff Donnie Harrison said: "I think the program is working great. If the highway patrol brings someone to our jail, and they say they are foreign born, then they are flagged for 287g. They have committed a violation of some sort to be brought to our jail...from broken tail lights to murder and rape." During Fiscal Year 2008, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement deported 356,739 illegal aliens from the U.S., which represented a 23.5% increase over the previous year. Almost immediately upon taking office, Napolitano ordered a review of the 287(g) program. Perhaps, the program was seen as a little too effective by Napolitano, who as Governor of Arizona, was often criticized for her lack of enforcement when it came to illegal immigration. In her new position, she has earned even wider criticism for her actions. In her short time as head of the Homeland Security Department, she has refused much-needed funds for her department, leveled unfounded accusations at veterans and conservatives by labeling them as potential terrorists, stopped worksite enforcement, refused Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s desperate request for troops along his state’s border, and is now tampering with a strong program to deal with this country’s enormous illegal alien population. It is hard to imagine why the Secretary of Homeland Security, who is charged with defending this nation, would end a program which very effectively and efficiently removed huge numbers of illegal aliens from this country. That is unless Madame Secretary has another agenda….An agenda which directly conflicts with the interests of the American people.
Comments
Arpaio is bolstered in his efforts by a state law barring human smuggling, which results in arrests of illegals who participate in the smuggling. Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is a big help in this effort. This is a prime example of a state and county doing something effective against illegal immigration, in contrast to those who say it's a federal matter and that states, cities and counties don't have the authority to do anything. www.gopusa.com/theloft/wp-print.php?p=309
Those in the country illegally can't vote. And there is NO evidence that they have tried. Think about it. If you were here illegally, and by voting you would risk being identified as such, and there is no benefit to you personally in doing so, why would you vote? This charge is simply an anti-hispanic fear tactic.
Thanks for the great column. Napolitano is a nightmare. I honestly had a naive hope that she wouldnt be so bad but it is quite clear that the Obama administration wants to lock up the hispanic and illegal alien vote and will destroy this country as we know it.
Janet Napolitano ordered a review of the 287 (g) program because, as Joe Arpaio so clearly demonstrated, he was unable to enforce it without violating U.S. law himself. If the program is to be successful, every local cop in the country has to adhere to the law. The program can't be used -- and abused -- for personal promotion.
Sheriff Arpaio needs to consider running for higher office where he can do more good on a national level. An Arpaio/Ventura ticket in 2012 would get my vote in a heartbeat. We must end illegal immigration forever. I don't care if they are jaywalking. If they are illegal, they need to go. Every last one of them. Including Obama's auntie.
I wish Sheriff Joe would run for Governor of Arizona. He would win!!!!
You must see the really big picture. Obama is seeking reelection (naturally). The Democrats are facing stern voter reaction in the 2010 mid-term and 2012 elections. It is Rahm Emmanuels' job to ensure that his puppet remains in power, and the Democrats can continue to cram their socialist agenda down our throats. To that end, Rahm E. is working with ACORN and "community-based activist" groups behind the scenes to "cook" the 2010 Census using Chicago-land style political methods. The administration NEEDS those illegal aliens in place so they can be enumerated (counted) in the 2010 census. In the process, Rahm Emmanuel will work to ensure that red states are undercounted and blue states, economic waste lands, and isolated democratic pockets that supported Obama are well or over-counted in the census. The net result is a shift in House congressional representation, as seats are apportioned by population. Look for a structural democratic super-majority - all according to the law.
Do you know how much it costs to deport somebody? If an illegal immigrant wants to have a trial in front of a judge, he/she would have to wait for several months in jail. Do you know how much it costs for a person to be held in jail ? (a 5 star hotel is cheaper). Now multiply that by 12 million. Does that make sense to you? Spending so much money when we do not have it? I know this is a very delicate subject, but let's be REALISTIC, OBJECTIVE, AND FAIR. Not everything is solved in an hour as in TV shows. Educate and inform yourselves before you pass judgement.
I fully supported everything that Governor Janet Napolitano did for the State of Arizona, she effectively proved to be wise in her decisions to put Sheriff Joe Arpaio in his place, she cut major funds to stop his operations. Now that She has been appointed Secretary of Homeland Security she is combating unfair anti-immigration in a federal level. She is saving this country by keeping those that are an asset to this sovereign nation. I hear people arguing the same thing over and over again, "I want all illegals deported and gone out of my country". President George W. Bush in May of 2006 in his address to the nation on Illegal Immigration said "Massive deportation of these people is just not going to work", you cant get rid of a race that has a positive impact in our society economically, culturally, and morally.
I will fully support the decisions Ms. Napolitano does. She has proven that she can combat this issue in manner that benefits all, pro / anti immigration.
Go Sheriff Joe!!! Napolitano is a lawbreaker! She is supposed to enforce the law and instead she flaunts the law. She is SCUM!
"Arpaio’s removal of over 30,000 mostly Mexican illegal aliens has angered the Latino community." It hasn't angered me. What angers me is when the MSCO stops an American citizen who's brown skin and thinks he's an illegal immigrant.
The Sheriff is right in every way. He seems to be the only one who stepped up with illegal immigration. Illegals are sucking welfare dry. I dont want to pay for someone who snuck into my country to recieve better benefits than me. Send all illegals home. I have had to pay so much in fees to get my wife here legally from Asia. It kills me to see these illegals running in here and sucking up tax payer dollars like vacuums.
Iddiots! No valid SSN AND Immigration status = NO benefits, zero nada. Your ignorance is irritating.
that bitch should resign from her post, what the hell this country is heading to with these traitors? Does she get paid by our tax money, what the hell she is working for? Mexicans or US citzen?
I'm a latino immigrant, (legal BTW) and I dont sympathize with illegal immigrants who think they have rights just for being here. But the real issue here is that Arpaio is a racist. He only asks for ID to brown-skinned people, no matter if they're citizens or not. That's racism, and if you're ok with that, you are a racist too.
Once again, the liberal, socialist machine hard at work to destroy the USA. The healthcare reform is nothing more than a first step phase to legalize the millions of illegals and their illegal anchor kids. They are slowly turning the USA into a 3rd world country. I am tired of people spouting their stupidity when they claim "you can't deport illegals", "it costs to much",
" they give to society", bla bla bla. The NET effect for this illegal population is a NEGATIVE effect! PERIOD! The best way, the easiest way and most cost effect method to rid the USA of illegals is to CUT OFF ALL THEIR BENEFITS and declare that their so called born in the USA kids are NOT legal citizens, which they are not. Wow, that would take Washington about what, 15 mins.? As for the total cost of about 20 million or so postage stamps? Seems affordable when healthcare reform will cost around $1 trillion plus dollars just to INSURE all these ILLEGALS and their families.
Once again, the liberal, socialist machine hard at work to destroy the USA. The healthcare reform is nothing more than a first step phase to legalize the millions of illegals and their illegal anchor kids. They are slowly turning the USA into a 3rd world country. I am tired of people spouting their stupidity when they claim "you can't deport illegals", "it costs to much",
" they give to society", bla bla bla. The NET effect for this illegal population is a NEGATIVE effect! PERIOD! The best way, the easiest way and most cost effect method to rid the USA of illegals is to CUT OFF ALL THEIR BENEFITS and declare that their so called born in the USA kids are NOT legal citizens, which they are not. Wow, that would take Washington about what, 15 mins.? As for the total cost of about 20 million or so postage stamps? Seems affordable when healthcare reform will cost around $1 trillion plus dollars just to INSURE all these ILLEGALS and their families.
An underlying fact is the majority of these so called "groups" or "communities" hate Americans and hate the USA. Look at how they have destroyed California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Arizona,and NYC. Something to think about when you are deciding which business to support with your HARD earned AMERICAN DOLLARS..
In response to "nothing to think about". That is an appropriate name for the opinions you share; although, it should be "Think nothing about it" because all you have is blind hatred and it means nothing more than that. Pick health care and "Think" about it objectively before spewing your vile.
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