Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-08) responded to the release of several thousand detainees by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a decision blamed on pending sequestration cuts. He called on his colleagues, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, in seeking answers related to this inexcusable display of ineptitude and lack of preparation.”
U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton demanding details about the release of illegal immigrants from U.S. detention centers.
“Whether arming dangerous criminals across the border during Operation Fast and Furious or releasing hundreds of detained undocumented illegal immigrants convicted of offenses ranging from drunk driving to theft,” said Franks, “this Administration has shown a truly disturbing tendency to actively make criminals’ lives significantly easier.
The letter is as follows:
Dear Director Morton:
I am concerned about the recent announcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release a large number of detained persons. This decision reflects the lack of resource prioritization within the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is indicative of the Department’s weak stance on national security.
Congress mandated and provided resources to maintain 34,000 bed spaces for illegal immigrant detainees. As of last week, ICE reported 30,773 spaces filled, in clear violation of statute. I am also concerned that these releases were undertaken without notification to the appropriate Congressional oversight committees.
To better understand the details of these releases, I request you provide the following information, not later than March 6, 2013, relative to individuals already released, pending release, or forecast for release under this new policy:
• Total number of individuals released;
• Total number identified for release;
• Specific timeline and dates for future releases;
• Geographic breakdown of where detainees have been and will be released;
• For each individual, the specific reason for their initial detention;
• For each individual, the amount of time that they had been detained; and
• For each individual, the specific monitoring and tracking actions taken to maintain positive accountability of each person.Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.
“In every instance, the White House has claimed to be unaware of the activities, as if an executive branch headed by an uninformed executive with no control over his own appointees is somehow a more comforting alternative,” said Franks.
