up that to 18,000 a month and it will still take over 55 years...
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."
Pay attention, if you can. There are many FReepers who feel bush has let them and this country down when it comes to his amnesty scheme for ILLEGALS. Are we all left-wing trolls? Are we all deranged?
Buy a clue.
United we stand...?
You mean arrogance of the ones who won’t enforce our laws?
up that to 18,000 a month and it will still take over 55 years...
Sorry, 18,000 a year.
GOOD!!!!
and yesterday the illegal supporters took to the streets here in San Diego. the typical Left Wing Loons
Yesterday’s protest was organized by MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) groups from SDSU, University of San Diego and San Diego City College, as well as a youth group known as Somos Raza, the Raza Rights Coalition and the American Friends Service Committee, a human rights organization.
Criticisms have a lot more power if they have an ounce of TRUTH in them.
No matter what you think of the President's immigration policy, your statement is completely dishonest, making it...............stupid.
Is there anyone to counterprotest these agitators, SoCal?
Changing times.....ping?
I guess they’ll be back a week from Tuesday.
If they had rounded up 1,800,000 illegals in a year I would be impressed. I’m not likely to be impressed anytime soon I would bet.
Very true.
It’s really pointless to go at this backwards - i.e., arrest and deport without a way to keep them from coming right back across.
A waste of time and resources.
Usually Protest Warriors and some FReepers, this was done
on their part quite quickly, not much chance for us.
I have been to other counter illegals in the past including one with over 50,000 Mexican supporters for illegals.
PWs & some FReepers did a counter to an anti war march and rally here the other week which I also took part in.
A guy around 60, who never got past the 1960s stage in life was handing out 8x11 signs which torked me off.
I went up to him and said , I will have one, he smiled and gave one to me and I said thanks, I needed this to line my cats sand box. He was none to happy.
He is their advocate and he is their number one advocate because he is in a higher position of power than is any other.
That is true, and your denials won't change it.
So far, you're batting zero.
A similar situation happened to Eric when he met up with some anti-war protestors.
He took a stack of their lit, ripped it up in front of their faces and slammed it onto the ground.
He hurt his arm, but it felt REAL good. (And was better than punching them in the faces, which is what he really wanted to do).
THANK you for standing up to these thugs, SoCal. You make me proud to kmow you!
I hate the illegals and not 100% happy with Bush’s policies but you are in over kill
Thanks, There were around 10 Marines in civies who joined us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.