Border crackdown deterring illegal immigration, officials say

ap on San Diego Union - Tribune ^ | 8/23/06 | Lara Jakes Jordan - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON – Nearly all non-Mexican illegal immigrants caught sneaking into the United States are being held until they can be returned to their home countries, the Bush administration said Wednesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said this marks the end of the “catch-and-release” practice that for years helped many illegal immigrants stay in the United States unhindered.

“There is a real deterrent effect to this policy,” Chertoff told reporters in Washington, pointing to a 20,000 drop in the number of illegal immigrants caught crossing the southwest border between this summer and the same period last year.

“Although we're not ready to declare victory – we've got a lot more work to do – it is encouraging and it is something that ought to inspire us to continue to push forward,” Chertoff said.

The new policy generally does not apply to Mexicans, who are almost immediately returned to Mexico after being stopped by Border Patrol agents, said John Torres, detention and removal director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an arm of Homeland Security.

Most of the more than 1 million illegal immigrants who sneak over the southwest border annually are Mexicans, he said.

Of 2,010 non-Mexican immigrants stopped in the first two weeks of August, only 26 have been released – a 99 percent detention rate, Homeland Security data show.

Moreover, the immigrants are detained for an average of 21 days – down from 90 days a year ago – before they are taken home, Torres said.

Immigrant rights advocates have questioned whether the border crackdown actually deters people from sneaking into the U.S., noting that some illegal immigrants may just be shifting entry points to cross at more remote and dangerous areas.

But Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar said far fewer immigrants have been seen at traditional staging points in Mexico, where thousands of people often meet up before trying to cross the border.

“We're not seeing that any more,” Aguilar said.

Homeland Security also is putting more technology in remote parts of the 2,000-mile border to detect immigrants trying avoid U.S. agents, Chertoff said. “As it gets harder, fewer people will try to come,” he said.

In May, President Bush called for deploying 6,000 National Guard troops to the southwest border. The move was widely seen as an election-year nod to conservatives who have long complained about that porous border and the growing number of illegal immigrants in the country.

About 11 million illegal immigrants were living in the U.S. at the start of this year, compared with an estimated 8.5 million living in the country in January 2000, Homeland Security data show.

[NormsRevenge]

On the Net:
Homeland Security Department:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic

[phoenix0468]

Well, you don't say?!? Just when we thought we couldn't do anything to stem the tide of illegal immigrants, it's been proved that it is possible. Now we just need to start rounding up the illegals already here.

[NormsRevenge]

August 23, 2006 -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, joined by ICE Acting Director of Detention and Removal John Torres and Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, outlined decreases in the numbers of both Mexicans and non-Mexicans illegally crossing the border at a press conference reviewing the Department's comprehensive approach to border security.

Secretary Chertoff said, "Although we're not ready to declare victory, and we've got a lot more work to do, it is encouraging. It's something that ought to inspire us to continue to push forward on all of these different fronts."

[SheLion]

  

(This is the newest map published in 2005.  A lot of FReepers tell me that this Mosque isn't on the map and that Mosque isn't on the map.  More proof that the Mosque's are popping up across the United States at a record pace.  Even the one in Lodi, California is not on this newest map).

Congressman refuses to probe illegal alien
terrorist cell in his own district

January 28, 2005 - Despite widespread news reports linking Moroccan Muslims to worldwide terrorism, Florida Congressman Ric Keller (R-8-FL) has declined to call for a formal FBI or Government Accounting Office (GAO) investigation of Orlando Homeland Security official Mary Schneider's concrete evidence of green card bribery of immigration officials by illegal Moroccan Muslims linked to a terrorist cell in Keller's central Florida congressional district--the hub of Sunshine State tourism and airline traffic.

Our interview with the Orlando immigration adjudication officer revealed that Keller, who is a member of the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security told Mary Schneider "your problem is not a matter within the purview of a federal agency." Full Story

"It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain,and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims..."
Abdel Rahman al-Rashed, ARAB NEWS 9 September 2004

Holy War on the Home Front

Holy War on the Home Front:
The Secret Islamic Terror Network in the United States

(An excerpt) FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Nearly three years after 9/11, the war on terror is far from over. In fact, a leading terrorism expert argues that despite the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security, we're not really any safer at all.

Harvey Kushner, a respected adviser to the FBI, the FAA, the INS, and other government agencies, offers frightening new evidence of a unified Islamic terrorist network that is operating inside the United States and planning new opportunities to strike.

Kushner identifies and assesses the violent plans of these Islamic organizations and individuals who take advantage of our reluctance to engage in ethnic profiling. He supports his claims with never-before-seen documents from top-level government sources, exposing a secret network of Arab intelligence agencies, terrorists, university professors, corrupt imams and other religious leaders, and violent criminals.

Some members of this network are recent immigrants; others have been American citizens for years. Some are laundering money from abroad through seemingly innocuous charities and mosques. Some have even infiltrated our military as Arabic translators and Muslim chaplains..."

The influential Washington-based Center for Security Police recently unveiled a groundbreaking report entitled, "Terrorism Investments of the 50 States."   This report analyzes the investment portfolios of America's leading public pension funds.  The key finding of the report is that America's 87 largest and most influential pension systems invest some $200 billion in companies that provide revenues, advanced technology, equipment and moral cover to governments that enable terrorism.  (This detailed report and related materials can be obtained at www.DivestTerror.org.)

To be sure, there is nothing illegal about investing in any of the roughly 400 companies that partner with our enemies' friends.  Nor is it illegal for such companies to do business with terrorist-sponsoring regimes.  Whether the law prohibits such activities or not, however, we believe most Americans will agree with us that they are wrong â?" wrong morally, wrong strategically and wrong financially. 

Consequently, DivestTerror.org offers a "how-to" manual showing ways in which investors, taxpayers and other citizens can bring pressure to bear to convert this $200 billion investment into leverage that can be used to help defeat terrorism.  Reduced to its essence, the idea is this: By divesting the stock of these companies, public pension systems, university endowments and even individual investors can send a powerful message to the companies that provide life-support to many of the planet's most dangerous regimes. You can choose to continue to partner with rogue state regimes that aid and abet terrorism.  Or you can do business with American investors and capital markets.  But you can no longer do both. 

As the DivestTerror.org website makes clear, divestment campaigns have already proven to be highly effective instruments.  In fact, over the last twenty years, institutional and private investors have repeatedly used their financial leverage to initiate social change.  For instance, these efforts have been used to bring pressure on stocks of companies involved in tobacco, alcohol, gambling, guns and environmentally insensitive behavior.  Arguably, the best-known example to date was the shareholder activism that used divestment to force the apartheid government of South Africa to abandon its heinous apartheid policy.  Subsequently, that government was forced to surrender power. 

By applying this model to companies doing business in terrorist-sponsoring states, we hope to achieve a success no less momentous than that accomplished in South Africa.  All it will take is for Americans like you to feel empowered to play a role in the war on terror, to make known your views against investment in terrorist-sponsoring states and to use tools like those provided by DivestTerror.org to target and maximize the effectiveness of your activism.  Please visit this informative and useful site and to join in the campaign it is now waging to defeat those who threaten not only our lives, but those of our children and grandchildren, as well.

   

[PistolPaknMama]

I just don't believe this. If the "officials" say it, then so what? What was up with the 12 million that are already here? If it's this dang simple, then why are those 12 million here? There's a fox in the hen house Pun intended). Bush has been way too soft on immigration. Now all the sudden he's coming up with "lookie here at what we never did till now!"

[puppypusher]

Thats Not what the article says.What it says and I quote "Nearly all non-Mexican illegal immigrants caught sneaking into the United States are being held until they can be returned to their home countries, the Bush administration said Wednesday"

Why are they not sending all of these illegal alians home Including the Mexicans.Why are they treating them special.

This border enforcement action is designed to only appear like they are actually doing something.Thereby making us feel more comfortable.

After reading that article I am Not comfortable Nor am I happy at the situation.

[SheLion]

Terrorists' aim is to end western civilisation, says ex-Mossad head

Muslims in the United States: Truths and Calumnies

Twenty-Year Plan: Islam Targets America

HOW TO FIND A MOSQUE NEAR YOU

[phoenix0468]

Well, at least they are catching and keeping the big fish, even though they let the little frys go. Not that I agree with that either, but the fact is that the effort is catching possible bad guys.

[wvobiwan]

Yeah, right. The only thing deterring illegals from invading our country is the occasional record heat wave. The price of gasoline has had as much effect on illegal immigration as our current efforts with the National Guard.

It might even be a good idea if the AG of DHS DIDN'T track down drug smugglers in Mexico so that the border patrol agents who shot at him (in self defence) may be prosecuted. (I wonder who'll now get charged for the $1 mil. in drugs the smuggler was bringing in?)

Start by firing the DHS AG...

[goldfinch]

It is a start. And I don't think it has been simple to get this far. It took hiring additional people, changing procedures, and changing attitudes. I think it could have been done quicker, but now is better than later.

Bush has been tone-deaf on illegal immigration, but he eventually can be made to listen...as the Harriet Miers nomination proved.

[teldon30]

yep

[SheLion]

I just don't believe this. If the "officials" say it, then so what? What was up with the 12 million that are already here? If it's this dang simple, then why are those 12 million here? There's a fox in the hen house Pun intended). Bush has been way too soft on immigration. Now all the sudden he's coming up with "lookie here at what we never did till now!"

Hannity and Combs had a segment on this tonight.  How thousands of Islam's are coming across the border daily disguising themselves as Mexicans.

It's pretty scary!!

I just don't believe this. If the "officials" say it, then so what? What was up with the 12 million that are already here? If it's this dang simple, then why are those 12 million here? There's a fox in the hen house Pun intended). Bush has been way too soft on immigration. Now all the sudden he's coming up with "lookie here at what we never did till now!"

Hannity and Combs had a segment on this tonight.  How thousands of Islam's are coming across the border daily disguising themselves as Mexicans.

It's pretty scary!!

[PistolPaknMama]

Bush has been tone-deaf on illegal immigration, but he eventually can be made to listen...

Six+ years is hardly "tone deaf". Not to mention he had the same hearing problems when he was governor of TX.

People have been screaming about the illegals problem fo rhow long? Now, after an untold amount of damage has been done, he's try to save The Party. That's all I seen in this., If Buah "can be made to listen" then why aren't we reading sotries of massive exportatio? Because he's not lisening, but justr throwing some crumbs to the cake eaters and hoping it sticks.

[SheLion]

Why are they not sending all of these illegal alians home Including the Mexicans.Why are they treating them special.

With thousands coming across the border daily, it's impossible for law enforcement to round them all up in order to send them back!  And IMHO they are all heading to all the Mosque's scattered across the US!

This border issue is unreal.

Fox News did a documentary interviewing a Border Patrol man and his wife (last year), who live in a trailer right on this side of the fence.  They are BEGGING for our government to send help down to them, ANY kind of help.  Even if is our  National Guards.

Night after night, the Border patrol and his wife wearing night goggles take pictures for proof.  Thousands are coming across in hordes.  And that IS night after night. Fox News even showed the video tapes that the Border and his wife have been  taking of these people jumping the fence and running.

The Fox Newsman (I forget his name.  He has the gray hair, is tall, thin with a long thin face), spent the night with this couple, also using night goggles to watch for himself.

The next morning, they walked about the yard.  She said that they are NOT all Mexican's.  That they have found the books of the Koran and prayer rugs dropped in haste as the people jumped the fence and ran on into our Country.

She showed the rugs and the books to the Fox Newsman.  It was horrifying. 

What with all the Mosque's in our Country, what better shelter for the terrorists to find shelter?  They are here, people.  Scattered all over the United States.

[sweetliberty]

"Nearly all non-Mexican illegal immigrants caught sneaking into the United States are being held until they can be returned to their home countries, the Bush administration said Wednesday. "

While the Mexican illegals are simply being ignored.

[SheLion]

The price of gasoline has had as much effect on illegal immigration as our current efforts with the National Guard.

Not to mention health care rising!  They obtain treatment at our emergency rooms, with no health insurance..............guess who pays the bill? US!

[SheLion]

It is a start. And I don't think it has been simple to get this far. It took hiring additional people, changing procedures, and changing attitudes. I think it could have been done quicker, but now is better than later.

No.  It's worse now then ever.  MUCH worse.

[Irish Eyes]

I would really like to see an updated map put along side of this one. This one was done 3-4 years ago. I am sure that the change would be dramatic.

[SheLion]

I would really like to see an updated map put along side of this one. This one was done 3-4 years ago. I am sure that the change would be dramatic.

I would too!

People tell me that this map is missing a Mosque here and a Mosque there.  I too, wish Steve would publish an updated one.  Probably scare the pants off of us.  heh!