Chertoff: Not 'practical'to deport illegal aliens

WND ^ | November 15, 2005 | Staff

[Nachum]

Homeland security chief defends Bush plan, says border eventually will be impenetrable

In defending President Bush's so-called "guest worker" program for illegal aliens – which critics have dubbed an amnesty program – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says it's just not practical to deport the millions of foreigners in the country illegally.

"The cost of identifying all of those people and sending them back would be stupendous. It would be billions and billions of dollars," Chertoff told Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel program "Hannity & Colmes" last night.

"One of the reasons I think that we've been focusing on the idea of a temporary worker program as part of a larger strategy for border security is because it would be a way to siphon off people who really want to do nothing more than work here, put them into a regulated program – we would know who they are – we would then be able to send them back at the end of a period of three years or six years. They would have made some money, they could take it back home, and then we could focus our other resources on the people that don't want to do it the right way, and we could get those people sent out."

Hannity challenged Chertoff, saying such a plan rewards those who "didn't respect our laws and sovereignty."

Asked the talk-show host: "Why don't we say, no, you're here illegally, you didn't respect our laws, you ought to go home?"

Chertoff again appealed to the issue of cost, saying, " Sean, you know, it's really an issue of practicality. I mean, as a practical matter, we've got to identify these people and pull them out of the shadows."

The Homeland Security chief emphasized that Bush's plan "is not an amnesty."

Said Chertoff: "The president's proposal is not a path to citizenship. It's clearly temporary, and it clearly envisions people who would have to commit to go back. … What this would let us do is acknowledge the reality that we've got hundreds and thousands of employers all over this country who are employing illegal aliens. Sometimes, individual citizens employing people in their home."

When Hannity suggested quadrupling the number of Border Patrol agents to help deal with the flood of illegals coming across the southern border, Chertoff pointed to training constraints.

"Right now, our capacity for training really is fully stretched," the official said. "Because it is obviously not an easy job, to train a Border Patrol agent. It's very dangerous work on the border."

Chertoff emphasized that since 9-11, the number of Border Patrol personnel has increased by 3,000.

The homeland security chief said he believes there will be a point in the future – using new technology and infrastructure, and more agents – when the border will be impenetrable.

"I think we have a day coming," he told Hannity. "I can't give you

[Nachum]

Lying piece of ....

[thoughtomator]

It's not practical for Chertoff to be drawing a government salary.

[peyton randolph]

Then Chertoff is a jackoff who should be sent off to the private sector for incompetence.

[yldstrk]

I think he means we oughta just throw in jail and throw away the key...

[Proud_USA_Republican]

how many billions does it cost California and the rest of the US each year to have all these illegals sucking from the medicaid and social services system?

[TomGuy]

Flipflopping already.

Just a few weeks ago he was saying how the intent is to 'remove' all illegals.


[It ain't gonna happen on GW's watch. GW has no intention of doing anything serious about border control. GW is still pushing for amnesty.]

[Sterco]

Really not practical to keep government officials in office who can not defend the soverignity of this great nation. Perhaps they should resign.

[csmusaret]

If the Feds cracked down on employers, the illegals would deport themselves.

[Jane Austen]

Obviously Chertoff is either too stupid or too corrupt to handle the job. Of course, it is practical to deport illegal aliens. The other alternative is to surrender to the invading hordes.

[HonestConservative]

Then what the ----- is the point of the cost of the DHS

Deport politicians, gotta be cost effective.

[Texas_Jarhead]

""The cost of identifying all of those people and sending them back would be stupendous. It would be billions and billions of dollars," Chertoff told Sean Hannity..."

Of course he's right. It's not like we're spending some $3 billion for digital set top boxes. Oh wait...

[DoughtyOne]

In defending President Bush's so-called "guest worker" program for illegal aliens – which critics have dubbed an amnesty program – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says it's just not practical to deport the millions of foreigners in the country illegally.

"The cost of identifying all of those people and sending them back would be stupendous. It would be billions and billions of dollars," Chertoff told Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel program "Hannity & Colmes" last night.

Hmmm, after all the pork barrel spending over the last few years, it strikes me that I've not seen a single governmet program refused, based on monetary costs.  If our officials want it, it can cost a trillion dollars and they'll spend the money.

Chirtoff, I know you're just implementing policy, but you should know better than to sell your soul for a damnable lie.

[MikeA]

But it's practical to let illegal aliens bankrupt our states and their healthcare and education systems? How do you figure Mike? Fire this hack and get former Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma into the Homeland Security position. He understands that ending illegal immigration most assuredly has a huge national security component connected with it.

[Sterco]

Vincente the Fox has some lip prints on his ass. Guess who's they are?

[cripplecreek]

Billions of dollars go to Chertoffs department and all he can say is that it's too expensive to do the job.

[WestCoastGal]

I have never thought this guy should be in charge of anything. Let alone our security!!

PING

[rwh]

If the Feds cracked down on employers, the illegals would deport themselves.

Exactly! That in combination with a real fence at the border like Israel has is the first step. I'm not holding my breath for that to ever happen though.

[MarcusTulliusCicero]

Actually, to be fair to him, that was misquoted. If you read his actual remarks to the Senate, he was speaking only of non-Mexicans that are caught at the border. The current practice is to return all Mexicans (and presumably South Americans) back to their home country, but if they catch say, an Irishman, slipping over the Mexican border, they issue a citation and require them to return at a later date for a hearing. In his previous Senate testimony, he wanted to eliminate this "catch and release" program and return all illegals that were newly caught at the border. It did not address illegals already here. And both he and the White House issued clarifications that same day. So, he's not backing off of anything he actually said.

That said, his position and that of the Administration is completely unacceptable. And the amnesty, um, "guest worker" program just isn't going to fly.

[La Enchiladita]

Deport politicians, gotta be cost effective.

Yes, that would be much more practical.

Dubya is like a dog with a bone when it comes to his amnesty "guest worker" plan; my biggest and most persistent disappointment with his presidency.

[TomGuy]

If the Feds cracked down on employers, the illegals would deport themselves.

I have a 3 part plan that would reduce the illegal population to almost nothing:

1. Fine employers who have illegals hired: $10,000 per illegal on the first inspection. $100,000 per illegal on the second inspection. 3 year mandatory prison term for company management for any illegals found on third inspection.

2. Prohibit illegals from any social, medical and educational assistance/aid.

3. Mandatory military consignment for any illegal between the ages of 18 and 39 detained. [After 3 years of successful military service, soldier may apply for permanent resident status.]