Posted on 01/04/2016 10:31:56 AM PST by jazusamo
Some 121 people in the U.S. illegally were arrested this past weekend and are currently in the process of being deported back to their home countries, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.
The arrest of the immigrants marks the first major offensive since a wave of families and unaccompanied children flooded the nation's southern border in 2014, which prompted a renewed debate about U.S. immigration laws and led to accusations from conservatives that the Obama administration has been too weak on protecting the border.
This weekend's efforts "should come as no surprise," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement announcing the arrests.
"I have said publicly for months that individuals who constitute enforcement priorities, including families and unaccompanied children, will be removed," he said.
The raids targeted adults and children who were caught attempting to cross the border after May 1, 2014, who have been told to leave the country by an immigration court and who would not be eligible to stay in the U.S. by seeking asylum or through other means.
The immigrants were primarily arrested in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, Johnson said.
Details about the DHS's crackdown were first reported in December.
The actions could have ripples throughout the presidential race.
Republicans have been eager to blast President Obama for what they say is a misguided complacency with immigrants in the country illegally, following on the aggressive promises of front-runner Donald Trump. Democrats, meanwhile, have been more critical of new enforcement efforts, which they describe as unnecessary and contrary to the country's history of welcoming foreigners.
On Monday, the Obama administration framed the new deportations as part of a tough approach to protecting the border that nonetheless made allowances for humanitarian values.
"I know there are many who loudly condemn our enforcement efforts as far too harsh, while there will be others who say these actions don't go far enough," Johnson said. "I also recognize the reality of the pain that deportations do in fact cause.
"But, we must enforce the law consistent with our priorities."
In addition to the latest arrests, Johnson claimed that the number of Border Patrol apprehensions of people trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2015 had declined to one of the lowest figures in decades.
In 2014, thousands of children and unaccompanied minors coming from Central America flooded the southern border, straining the government's resources. Since then, immigration officials have been increasing their deportations, the DHS claimed, averaging about 14 per week.
For years he's not enforced immigration laws letting hundreds of thousands if not millions of illegal aliens in, now in the election year they're deporting 121 illegal alien law breakers.
What countries?..................
Wow a whole 121 (scores!!) of the 10’s of thousands they let in.
Most likely Christians
121 down, 20+ million to go.
“It can’t be done”- Michael ‘Wormtongue’ Medved
The Dorkbama the Muslim administration will arrest them, issue them democrat voter registration cards, and release them.
Ireland, UK, Gerany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, The Ukraine,Itally and Switzerland.
Wow they really think we are stupid.....
121? That many? Really?
What a joke. I saw that many illegals at Braum’s in three visits over the holiday.
More that half of us are that stupid. More than half of us voted for the abortion that is obungo.
How many deported?
None.
Is that your guess, or fact? Wouldn’t surprise me either way.
Gotta love Braum’s ice cream.
IF the country is this dumbed down then maybe we should just let it go.....
When FedGov™ acts like this is the main reason why I am so cynical. Burn it all down baby.
I agree, and before they're deported if they ever are, we taxpayers will be paying for attorneys to represent them in their hearings.
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