rssDHS Oversight Hearing Likely to Be Contentious
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 9:05 am
- 7 Comments
In advance of a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday morning, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) has released a statement announcing his disapproval with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s immigration policies and enforcement. “As many as twenty million individuals live here illegally, enjoying many of the same benefits as those who have followed the rules, paid taxes, and waited patiently to become full and legal citizens,” Sessions said in his statement. He continued:
For far too long, America failed to secure its borders. As a result, people failed to respect those borders and millions of illegal immigrants swept across. But efforts in recent years to restore the rule of law—such as building barriers and increasing prosecutions—are sending a clear message to the world. As a result, illegal border crossings are down. Statistics show that border apprehensions fell from over 1.6 million at the beginning of the decade to around 550,000 last year. This is a promising development, but the task of securing America’s borders is far from complete.
Actually, migration experts attribute the slowing if illegal immigration to the United States not to new barriers and prosecutions but to the recession, which has slowed the demand for workers. Still, prosecutions for immigration violations have reached record levels in the past few years. Napolitano’s pledge to focus worksite enforcement on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers rather than on the workers themselves has, however, disappointed Sessions.
Unfortunately, on the crucial policy of worksite enforcement, the administration is moving in the opposite direction. They have effectively signaled to our law enforcement officers that they should turn a blind eye to clear violations of the law. The no-match rule—a commonsense policy that required employers to take action if notified that their employees did not have legal status—has been brushed aside in favor of much more lenient administrative audits. Perhaps most perplexing, worksite raids no longer result in deportation, meaning that even if discovered, illegal aliens are allowed to walk free and seek employment elsewhere. This lax approach is particularly troubling at a time when so many American citizens are struggling to find jobs.
It’s not at all clear that DHS has not been deporting illegal immigrants arrested in workplace raids. Although Napolitano did say she’d focus her efforts on employers, as did the Bush administration, workers are still arrested during “workplace enforcement actions,” as Immigration and Customs Enforcement likes to call them. Some of those workers may be allowed to remain in the United States temporarily to act as witnesses against the employer, however, if the government plans to prosecute. That happened in the case of workers at the Yamato Engine Specialists Ltd. plant in Bellingham, Wash., for example. They are now again facing deportation.
Regardless, Sessions made clear that the treatment of illegal immigrant workers in the United States is sure to be a point of contention at Wednesday’s Senate hearing.
Secretary Napolitano is America’s top immigration enforcement official, and I look forward to discussing with her these and other important immigration issues. Her recent comments that our progress on border security opens the door to consideration of new amnesty policies are disturbing. That faulty view will be a focus of the hearing.
That should make this morning’s hearing interesting. I’ll be following it and will report back.
7 Comments
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Comment posted December 9, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
Its BS that Nappy says they are enforcing laws. They have been going through the prisons to find illegals and that is great. But when it comes workplace enforcement, it is non-existant. They are finding the illegals but letting them walk. The workplace raids were very effective in finding hundreds at a time and then deporting them. This is as it should be. We must vote out those who will not enforce our laws and will allow the criminals to continue in their lawless ways. Immigration reform will light a powder keg with Americans if Obama takes it up. I hope Americans stand for what is right and demand our laws be enforced and those who will not abide be deported immediately. America can no long afford to take care of 20-40 million illegals anymore. Stop any and all benefits for illegals and their anchors.
Comment posted December 9, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Today! As always! We are fighting for American jobs, against the ingress of illegal workers in the work force. If President Obama desires to open more jobs, for the estimated 10 percent of unemployed US citizens and legal entrants, he must sever the jobs from illegal immigrants? The estimate is somewhere between 7 and 8 million foreign workers procuring American jobs. E-Verify is part of the SAVE act, that can relieve part of the problem, if only it was permanently used, and not just for the impulse of countrywide business owners. Each day E-Verify grows in popularity, but was nearly washed away by leading Democrats. It's very cost effective, simple to apply and is constantly being updated by Homeland Security. E-Verify is not an instant remedy, but then the monstrous numbers of illegal families, didn't happen overnight. Both parties have been implicated, in allowing illegal aliens to stream through an undermanned border fence. All irregularities can be expeditiously resolved by a visit to the local Social Security Admin, where unauthorized workers will not go?
Next we must add pressure to all Democrats to make E-Verify mandatory around Americain addition to the local police fed training program 287 G., to identify and apprehend illegal aliens. Included in this package is ICE raids that have been limited by the HS Secretary Janet Napolitano. They always are making the statement “That immigrants are good for the economy?” May be Immigrants! So why do they not shout from the rooftops, the actual expenditures for anchor babies and their families? The costs of food stamps, public housing, schools, health care and the massive dollar figure. No political entity will give you the unsterilized amounts of money that taxpayers pay out to support the illegal immigration invasion. Anybody who speaks out creates noxious flak, for themselves or their frightened group they volunteer for? Its the undisclosed public money that is paid to people who shouldn't even be here?
It seems this slowing down of Immigration enforcement, can be associated with the push for the Democrats Comprehensive Immigration Reform. But whatever they call it, the cost to taxpayers will be substantial. By any other name it’s BLANKET AMNESTY! Costs that fly out the window, similar to the wars we are fighting? Money for the actual AMNESTY to process the 20-30 million newly legitimized. All must have a medical examination or should? Or are they going to pass out special permits for people, without any true check without FBI criminal background investigations? They must achieve this process for the hundreds of thousands patient potential immigrants waiting for an entry visa for years? Then what is the administration going to establish for those conniving across the borders in other impoverished countries–waiting for an intro for the bill to be enacted? Who knows how many are ready to slip into America–hoping to be integrated with all those already here.
How are we going to absorb all these people wanting services–housing, food, health care? To satisfy business organizations we need highly skilled workers, not available elsewhere. Not H-1B visa holders who are semi-skilled and just an outrageous excuse to bring in more low income workers? We have our own job seekers who are just as skilled, just as professional in their forte across the nation urgently seeking work? All these poorly, uneducated people taking even lower pay, and being in competition with low or non-skilled members of the legal population. This is truly agenda of the Internationalists to lower wages with Canada and finally all those lands south of the border. This has been the silent plan of the Council of Foreign Relations for decades to institute the unfettered waves of cheap labor for the corporate appetite in our country?
BETTER KNOWN AS CORPORATE WELFARE–BECAUSE YOU PAY. AMNESTY WILL BE YET ANOTHER TAX TO SUPPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. If we cannot even repair 30 year rotting infrastructure, or keep our own people from becoming homeless? How are we going to justify supporting–underestimated numbers–of more destitute people? Obama cannot even find jobs for the unemployed now, and yet these politicians want to attract more people. Good for businesses? Yes! But not for Americans lining up at food banks.
HERE IS JUST A FEW OF AMERICAN WORKERS WORST ENEMIES? READ THEIR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT GRADING. Bennet, Michael F. – (D – CO) ,Bennett, Robert F. – (R – UT),Dodd, Christopher J. – (D – CT),Feingold, Russell D. – (D – WI),Gillibrand, Kirsten E. – (D – NY),Inouye, Daniel K. – (D – HI),Leahy, Patrick J. – (D – VT),Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR), Mikulski, Barbara A. – (D – MD), Murray, Patty – (D – WA), Reid, Harry – (D – NV), Schumer, Charles E. – (D – NY), (R – AL),Wyden, Ron – (D – OR), Michael Capuano – (D-MA) & House Speaker Pelosi, Nancy- (D-CA). REMEMBER THEM 2010 ELECTION? Start the 28 cent postcard campaign, forewarning them of the consequences? Start calling every and all politicians at 202-224-3121. Since the beginning there has been no serious attention to stop competitive labor pouring through the border or those tourists with intentions to stay?
The key ingredients are already here for overpopulation, admits the Census bureau. Get the predictable answers to your immigration questions by GOOGLING— NUMBERSUSA. Learn of the corruption and un-American, anti-sovereignty manipulation of our laws at JUDICIAL WATCH. We must fight or go under. America and American Workers are depending on your actions? We can no longer afford to support the World and its problems, because it’s destabilizing the dollar and allowing other countries to be our creditors.
Comment posted December 9, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
Two recent examples of Obama coming down hard on employers. The owner of Agriprocessers, Sholom Rubashkin, had ALL immigration charges dismissed against him. In the raid 389 illegal aliens were arrested. The Manager at Howard Industry, where over 600 illegal aliens were arrested, was the only Company scapegoat to stand trial and all but one charge of hiring illegal immigrants was dropped. Employers will look at this tough action and laugh themselves silly all the way to the bank.
Comment posted December 21, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Everyone must be warned before coming to the United States. Even if you have a visa, you are putting yourself at risk of Homeland Security ICE officers. I have a friend that is from Paris France here on an education visa to finish his degree. He has been here since 2005. His visa is valid until March of 2010, His passport is valid until 2014, and his I-20 is current. He is not illegal. In 2008 He fell in love and married a U.S. citizen that just happens to be addicted to Prescription medications, He knew nothing about this. But he was arrested due to her mistakes. He was placed in detention, scheduled for deportation. He has been in detention center in Pompano Beach Florida for 5 months now. All this because of her mistakes. She should be the one in jail not him. Please everyone coming to America. Think twice. This couple has lost all there savings on lawyers, she lost her job, and they are in the process of losing there home. All this was caused because ICE has the wrong person in jail. They make up any story they want and when they are questioned about it you get nowhere. I have written many letters to Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite and even President Obama. But no one will listen. So please people think twice about coming to America for any reason. Our immigration system is broken ….they all agree, but you put your life at risk when you enter our borders. Even if you follow the rules you may also lose everything as this couple has. No one will listen, no one cares. This man has never even had a traffic violation and is 51 yrs old. He has never worked in America has always been self supporting and took nothing from Americans social services. His American dream has turned into a night mare. Shame on America. I think it is about time someone revised this immigration and ICE practice. What is illegal in this case is the way DHS is treating this guy. John Morton and Janet N. should be ashamed of themselves. This is just wrong. While in there detention center they have abused him, denied him food and proper medical treatment. He is diabetic and they will not give him the proper food or medical attention. I think it is terrible. The phone system is very poor and not working everyday. They plan it that way so they can not contact there lawyers and family. Someone needs to stop ICE, They are totally out of control. I fear He will be next on the long list of persons that have died while in detention. Until you go to one of these detention centers and see with your own eyes, you will not believe what America is doing. I was shocked, on my first visit and after almost 6 months of seeing what happens, how they have to live. I am still in shock. Trust me it is all about money. He is in a private prison owned by a company called GEO based near Miami Fl. They are paid very well by our tax dollars, but the treatment is unbelievable. I just have to close by saying shame on America. I have seen it with my own eyes.
Comment posted December 21, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
Everyone must be warned before coming to the United States. Even if you have a visa, you are putting yourself at risk of Homeland Security ICE officers. I have a friend that is from Paris France here on an education visa to finish his degree. He has been here since 2005. His visa is valid until March of 2010, His passport is valid until 2014, and his I-20 is current. He is not illegal. In 2008 He fell in love and married a U.S. citizen that just happens to be addicted to Prescription medications, He knew nothing about this. But he was arrested due to her mistakes. He was placed in detention, scheduled for deportation. He has been in detention center in Pompano Beach Florida for 5 months now. All this because of her mistakes. She should be the one in jail not him. Please everyone coming to America. Think twice. This couple has lost all there savings on lawyers, she lost her job, and they are in the process of losing there home. All this was caused because ICE has the wrong person in jail. They make up any story they want and when they are questioned about it you get nowhere. I have written many letters to Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite and even President Obama. But no one will listen. So please people think twice about coming to America for any reason. Our immigration system is broken ….they all agree, but you put your life at risk when you enter our borders. Even if you follow the rules you may also lose everything as this couple has. No one will listen, no one cares. This man has never even had a traffic violation and is 51 yrs old. He has never worked in America has always been self supporting and took nothing from Americans social services. His American dream has turned into a night mare. Shame on America. I think it is about time someone revised this immigration and ICE practice. What is illegal in this case is the way DHS is treating this guy. John Morton and Janet N. should be ashamed of themselves. This is just wrong. While in there detention center they have abused him, denied him food and proper medical treatment. He is diabetic and they will not give him the proper food or medical attention. I think it is terrible. The phone system is very poor and not working everyday. They plan it that way so they can not contact there lawyers and family. Someone needs to stop ICE, They are totally out of control. I fear He will be next on the long list of persons that have died while in detention. Until you go to one of these detention centers and see with your own eyes, you will not believe what America is doing. I was shocked, on my first visit and after almost 6 months of seeing what happens, how they have to live. I am still in shock. Trust me it is all about money. He is in a private prison owned by a company called GEO based near Miami Fl. They are paid very well by our tax dollars, but the treatment is unbelievable. I just have to close by saying shame on America. I have seen it with my own eyes.
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