Posted on 06/09/2005 4:08:13 PM PDT by CHARLITE
So far this fiscal year, the Border Patrol has apprehended almost 100,000 undocumented migrants from countries other than Mexico, commonly called OTMs, says a report in GovExec.com.
The number of OTMs is projected to reach about 150,000 by the end of this fiscal year, which is a 200 percent increase compared to fiscal 2004, according to the Border Patrol.
Concerns about OTMs from special interest countries - such as Iraq, Syria and Iran - were highlighted in Capitol Hill testimony in February by former Homeland Security Deputy Secretary James Loy: "Recent information from ongoing investigations, detentions and emerging threat streams strongly suggest that al Qaeda has considered using the Southwest border to infiltrate the United States," Loy wrote. "Several al Qaeda leaders believe operatives can pay their way into the country through Mexico, and also believe illegal entry is more advantageous than legal entry for operational security reasons."
The latest figures and the al Qaeda connection are adding fuel to the argument that fundamental change in U.S. immigration policy is needed.
Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., plan to introduce what they say will be "comprehensive immigration reform" legislation by the end of this month. The bill is tentatively titled the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act.
"The current border crisis has been years in the making, but it now appears to have reached a critical mass," Kyl said.
Cornyn added: "What we are proposing is we not only enhance border security to deal with people as they come across illegally, but we're also going to provide resources for interior enforcement ... and then we're also going to [create] a workable mechanism for prospective employers to deal with prospective employees who can legally work in the country."
Currently, enforcement of border and immigration law falls to the Homeland Security Department's bureaus of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. CBP is responsible for enforcement along the border, while ICE handles interior enforcement.
Mexican nationals caught illegally trying to enter the country are bused back to the border if they do not have a criminal record. OTMs, however, are sent to ICE detention centers, where they are released into the U.S. public if they do not have a felony conviction and do not pose a threat to national security.
ICE is required by law to release illegal aliens who pose no threat. Those migrants are given a notice to appear in court, but Border Patrol agents call it "a notice to disappear."
To date, according to the GovExec.com report, ICE has released about 1 million illegal aliens into the country. Out of that, about 465,000 never showed up for their court hearing, and about 85,000 have criminal records.
Meanwhile, organizers of civilian border patrols plan to establish citizen camps in all southern border states by this fall, as well as some northern border states. They say they will continue the camps until the government orders the military or National Guard to secure the borders.
Throw political correctness out the window and get the work done to get and keep these people out of here. This is out of control.
"ICE is required by law to release illegal aliens who pose no threat. Those migrants are given a notice to appear in court, but Border Patrol agents call it "a notice to disappear."
This is the most ridiculous thing our government is doing today. Hello, there are airplanes! If the Mexicans can be bussed back, these people can be flown back. Let the gov't spend some $$$ doing that and they'll find a way to close the damn border. If they can't prove their country of origin they go back to Mexico too. If Mexico doesn't like that, too bad.
I'm starting to really despise Mexico, the gov't, not the people.
Considering that large numbers of these OTMs hail from nations that harbor and sponsor Islamists/terrorists, how does ICE determine whether or not they pose a threat?
This has to end, either by governmental action (unlikely, seeing as the politicians in DC are a bunch of cowards), or through action by brave citizens like the Minuteman Project.
If Mexico doesn't want to stop non-Mexicans from coming into our country, why don't just bus them back with the other Mexicans. Let idiot Fox deal with them.
Once they've bagged their limit I certainly hope they resort to just shooting 'em.
I wonder how many are O.bviously T.errorist M.urderers.
ping
In the absence of a border barrier (wall, the National Guard, etc.) there's very little to stop them from coming across again.
Cheech : Don't worry, man. Those aren't narcs, they're las emigras; you know, the Immigration Service looking for illegal aliens.
Chong : What's the Immigrantion Service doing here, man?
Cheech: My cousin needed a ride to his brother's wedding in Tijuana, so he called the emigras, man. They'll deport the entire wedding party, man. They get a free bus ride across the border and lunch. When the wedding is over, man, they'll just come back across the border.
Sadly. |
Makes ya feel all bubbly, doesn't it.
And if it is determined the attacker(s) entered our country illegally, there is gonna be Hell to pay. In this case, the pubs may as well hang it up.
Too bad it appears President Bush can't understand this.
I'm sure our resident FOQNA loons will be along shortly to explain why this latest outrage upon the American people is in reality a benefit...
There is going to be more from Brazil, and Venezuela and Bolivia are going communist.
Exactly. 'Country of origin' should mean 'the country they last came from'.
FOX certainly has no trouble with HIS southern border!
Until they do something about the BORDER, the ~War on Terror~ is a JOKE!
This is ... Bush's fault.
Just wait until Mexico explodes, after the communist mayor of Mexico City is elected presidente, and aligns with Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil etc.
*BUMP*!
President Bush should close the borders and then put some manpower into rounding up those 1 million illegals. For some reason, he is blind to the danger that many of these illegals represent and is in denial about the violence perpetrated by so many of them. America will never be secure until we secure our borders. SECURE AMERICA
SECURE THE BORDERS
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