Posted on 04/08/2007 11:41:42 AM PDT by VU4G10
SAN DIEGO -- More than one-third of 18,000 people arrested in a nearly yearlong federal crackdown on illegal immigrants were not the people authorities targeted, according to government figures.
The so-called "collateral arrests" involved people picked up by immigration agents while seeking fugitives such as drug smugglers, thieves, drunken drivers and others who flouted deportation orders.
When tracking down fugitives, authorities visit a suspect's last known address and often find other immigrants, who are then asked to prove they are legally entitled to live in the United States.
Supporters of such tactics say the government is just doing its job after years of neglect.
"God bless 'em,"' said Peter Nunez, a former U.S. attorney in San Diego who teaches immigration policy at the University of San Diego. "They apparently decided to start with these fugitives. If you're going to find one (illegal immigrant), you're going to find 100."
Critics say the campaign against fugitive illegal immigrants ensnares many hard-working people who are in the country illegally but do not pose a danger.
"They're trying to sell it as something where they target (criminals) but it's become part of a larger dragnet," said Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee's office in San Diego.
Dubbed "Operation Return to Sender," the crackdown began last May in cities across the nation. As of Feb. 23, it has resulted in 18,149 arrests of suspected illegal immigrants, most of whom were captured at home and in Hispanic neighborhoods.
But, according to figures from Immigration and Custom Enforcement, 37 percent of those cases, or 6,696 arrests, were "collateral" captives _ people who just happened to be present when agents arrived. Such arrests account for more than half the total in four cities: Dallas and El Paso, Texas (59 percent); New York (54 percent); and San Diego (57 percent).
On Tuesday, ICE completed a two-week sting that targeted 300 fugitives in San Diego. Agents found 62 fugitives but took 297 other people into custody, bringing the total arrests to 359. The illegal immigrants were returned to their home countries or jailed while awaiting a court hearing.
The government defends the collateral arrests.
"We can't look the other way," said Robin Baker, ICE's director of detention and removals in San Diego. "We did that for too long." The agency's guidelines are to make arrests in houses, not in the streets, Baker said, adding that agents do not randomly search communities for illegal immigrants.
For some, the stings evoke memories of immigration raids that fell out of favor in the 1980s. Since then, immigration authorities have stayed close to U.S. borders but are increasingly venturing into homes and workplaces across the country.
"It didn't happen for a good 15 years," Baker said. "Now that it's opening up again, people don't like it. They got used to us not being there."
You haven’t changed a bit.
I am both more conservative than you and more in emotional control.
I am just not a bush-bot.
I know how to think.
Realize that I haven't met or talked to those who came here to deal drugs or commit crimes, other than the obvious illegal entry.
From the Mexican perspective, crossing the border isn't like committing a crime or a character flaw. They think it's a tempting opportunity and once you're in, you win. I fault the Mexican government for encouraging such thinking. I don't support crashing the border; I am all in favor of a 1,951-mile wall. Then the ones who are good and hard working can apply to come in, and if they pass a background check and agree to keep the US informed of where they are and agree to leave by a certain date, I have no problem with that. Or if they apply for citizenship like everyone else from Europe or Africa or Asia, I have no problem with that. I would definitely seal the border though; IMHO anyone climbing over or tunnelling under the wall is subject to being shot or dumped back over on their heads. Get in line and ask permission.
“If you’re going to find one (illegal immigrant), you’re going to find 100.”
Turn over any rock these days...
But since you mentioned it, over the past six years on this forum, I have realized that I'm more conservative than probably 95% of the posters on FR.........maybe more...........regardless of their screams and shrieks of how 'conservative' they are.
All I do when people say "I'm more conservative than you" to me is laugh.
And now I remember that it was your complete lack of emotional control that made me decide I had to stay away from you several years back.
Sorry I bothered you. I won't do it again. Back to my independently thinking fellow conservatives......
Of course it is my mental problems producing YOUR hysteria and its resulting wild exaggerations.
And like I give a crap what YOU think in any case.
Yeah and the Hysterical are utterly clueless as to the political situation in America. Any party listening much to them would be annihilated in the vote and they would be blaming everyone but themselves. I just laugh at them.
That's what they deserve.......
And the idea that hysteria and uncontrolled emotion are 'conservative' values is even more laughable.
You lost that one too and were told to not argue with me by the owner of this site.
Hysteria.
Discuss it with your shrink and get back to me, boy.
In my six years on Free Republic, only two people have maliciously stalked me with emotions out of control.
You were the first, and I will never, ever forget it.
Now I will leave you alone, and you, Eaker, need to do the same to me.
Fortunately JimRob assured me privately that your bizarre stalking was not indicative of your behavior and that I was not in danger.
Your laughter at your bad behavior is indicative of why I was right to wonder about you in the first place.
And the fact that you placed the blame entirely on me when you were also told to leave me alone is indicative of your continued lack of honesty.
LOL!
Get yourself under control.
Oh, I forgot that you must have the last word.
Go for it as I am here all week.
Your turn.
Six years, and lots of arguments, including some with emotionally crazed Bush haters (your soul brothers), but you singled yourself out because you just wouldn't quit.
Facts are pesky things, Eaker.
Harriet Miers' nomination made you lose your mind. Flip your proverbial wig
Last word goes to you.....
I guess I win.
Harriet Miers washed my car today.
She needs the work.
She can do the yard tommorow.
You're a liberal elitist snob after all, aren't you?
You just proved that I was right, not you.
What a shock.......
I get the last laugh. :)
You liberals offered up Harriet Miers.
We conservatives gave you John Roberts.
You are welcome.
Liberal elitist snobbery.
You reinforced it in spades here, so thanks again.
God bless President Bush for being a better man than his critics!
(Especially you emotionally deranged ones).
I've been proven right about you once again.
My life is complete. :)
Oh.....and say HI to your Mom for me. Glad you didn't need her to rescue you here like you did last time.
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