U.S. catching illegals in record numbers

The Washington Times ^ | March 16, 2008 | Jerry Seper

[Man50D]

The Department of Homeland Security, continuing to enforce what it calls a "strict policy of arresting, prosecuting and jailing" illegal immigrants, deported a record number of those caught on the nation's borders last year — more than 280,000 in fiscal year 2007 compared to 186,000 a year earlier.

It was the largest number of illegals ever removed from the country in a single year.

The increase is attributable to what veteran law enforcement authorities said is a revised apprehension process, adding that the department no longer is targeting only criminal aliens for removal, but seeks eventually to apprehend, charge and deport all those who cross illegally into the United States.

To that end, Homeland Security has initiated "Operation Streamline" along some sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border, which brings those who cross illegally into the U.S. into the criminal justice system where they are prosecuted either for a misdemeanor on their first offense or a felony if they have been caught before.

"Under this program, individuals who are caught at certain designated high-traffic, high-risk zones are prosecuted and, if convicted, are jailed," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said at a recent press briefing.

Mr. Chertoff noted that between October and December, the Justice Department prosecuted 1,200 cases under the new program and, as a consequence, apprehension rates dropped nearly 70 percent in those areas.

"When people who cross the border illegally are brought to face the reality that they are committing a crime, even if it is just a misdemeanor, that has a huge impact on their willingness to try again and on the willingness of others to break the law coming across the border," he said.

[Man50D]

Enforcing our exisiting immigration laws. What a novel Idea! The only reason they are being enforced at all is due to the pressure from the people at the grassroots level. Going after only illegals who are convicted felons ignores the fact all illegals are criminals and should be apprehended. Keep up the pressure folks!

[AFPhys]

True. The pressure is what is driving this policy.

I wish they had given the earlier years’ figures, too. I suspect that we are easily now tripling the number of deports during the previous administration. Pres.Bush deserves some credit here, at least.

[calex59]

Pres.Bush deserves some credit here, at least.<>/I>

President Bush deserves no credit except credit for making the illegal mess worse than it was before he took office. Even Clinton's administration deported more illegals yearly than Bushs' did during most of his years in office. He was the driving force behind the closed eyes approach to illegals and if it wasn't for the pressure being put on the government since last year by the people he would still be standing around with his thumb up his a** doing nothing and working toward the North American Union.

He is a one worlder, one of the biggest dangers to our freedom are these idiots who want to meld the world into one big happy family.

[Tennessee Nana]

the department no longer is targeting only criminal aliens for removal, but seeks eventually to apprehend, charge and deport all those who cross illegally into the United States.
________________________________________________

BWAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[bcsco]

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And a HAPPY ST> PAT'S DAY to all...

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[IronKros]

Yeah, that is great and all.
But what is luring them here in the first place?

Remove the incentive, then arrest those to come over.

The catch and release program by itself will only bleed us dry.

[ckilmer]

Bush is more profoundly double minded on Tex/Mex matters than obama is on white/black matters. After all bush speaks spanish in the white house. and its not a second language to him.

[dangus]

The support the SAVE Act!

[Kimberly GG]

“But what is luring them here in the first place?”

BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP and access to Federal Benefits.

“Remove the incentive, then arrest those to come over. The catch and release program by itself will only bleed us dry.”

Sooo true. Without an EFFECTIVELY SECURED BORDER, we are spinning VERY EXPENSIVE wheels.