Posted on 06/25/2011 2:36:28 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Bill would freeze Obama administration's power to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants By Jordy Yager - 06/25/11 05:05 PM ET The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is crafting a bill that would temporarily freeze the Obama administration’s power to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants.
The measure is in response to a memo issued by the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week that approved a broader breadth of discretion for agency officials when considering whether to deport someone through the Secure Communities program.
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), who is sponsoring the legislation, blasted the memo. He said that under the new guidelines ICE agents could defer the deportations of “millions of deportable illegal and criminal immigrants.”
“The Obama administration cannot continue to pick and choose which laws it will enforce,” said Smith in a statement. “It is outrageous that they have put illegal immigrants and their liberal political base ahead of the American people.”
Smith’s bill is expected to be introduced soon, according to a committee aide.
The ICE memo comes in the wake of recent attempts by President Obama to push forward with a revamping of the country’s immigration laws. Republicans on Capitol Hill have broadly indicated their opposition to the Democrat-led efforts, with some calling for a more secure U.S.-Mexico border before immigration talks can begin. Immigration reform is widely regarded as having little chance of passing in the divided 112th Congress.
The Secure Communities program allows for ICE to check the immigration status of people arrested by law enforcement agencies throughout the country by sharing a fingerprint database. Critics of the program say that it focuses on deporting people for minor offenses, such as traffic violations, and in some cases breaks families apart.
Under the guidelines set forward by the ICE memo, agents could opt to defer on a case-by-case basis the deportation of people in the country illegally who have committed minor crimes or have extraordinary circumstances, such as students who would have been able to gain legal status under the DREAM Act, which stalled in the last Congress.
The 7,000-member ICE labor union has stated its opposition to the memo and issued a unanimous vote of no-confidence of ICE Director John Morton.
On Tuesday Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing on the DREAM Act.
Realizing the dim prospects to pass the DREAM Act in this Congress, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) asked Obama last month to delay the deportation of certain illegal immigrants, such as students who have been in the U.S. for at least five years and do not have criminal histories.
That's a great start, but what we really need is Bill would freeze Obama administration's power to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants
I just wasted 15 minutes of my life before reading this article responding to pro Perry people on illegals on another thread. I’m ecstatic to see action like this being taken.
Nothing has slowed down Obama and thugs so far, hopefully this passes.
They're being deprted for being illegals.
Good!
Sadly, it will probably either die a nasty death in the U.S. Senate, or Dirty Harry Reid will keep in from coming to an up or down vote.
Don't get too excited. There's too many scaredy-cat Republicans and RINOs in Congress. They won't risk loosing Latino votes.
Actually, this will be a good indicator if there is any hope left for our Country. If Congress does not bring Obama back in line, with existing laws and the constitution, we can start making alternative plans. This Country is toast. RIP USA!
The House needs to tie the revocation of that memo to something substantial in the funding category... a simple tit for tat... If obama doesn’t revoke the memo - then any and all budget items will be tabled - even the entire budget... This is a case to shut down the government... it is lawlessness plain and simple... If our Congress does not stop this action - then we have no government - it is a dictatorship at this point.
They're being deported for being illegals.
Really!
Can you or I or any citizen on on this forum go to France or Mexico or Australia, get free education, and lunches, and jobs, and Head Start, and live there forever, without a passport, visa, or application?
These are invaders, clear and simple. In an overpopulated world.
There is a front door for any one on the globe to apply. Otherwise one is a rogue, and in the case of Mexicans blatant racists.
I like the way you think. ICCTW for Senate!
There are too many on this site all too ready to give up the illegal battle. If the people don’t put the spines into their reps then we will indeed see the jelly fish act in congress.
It’s time to start impeachment proceedings...pubbies
Pay attention here: Watch for ‘Parole in Place’
I have heard from a reputable source that soon the illegals will be allowed to file as present in the US and undergo parole in place, and then, boom: citizens.
I’m not kidding.
Watch for the first steps next month.
I’m still trying to figure out where the hell the Mexican Nationals got the “civil rights” to demand that the U.S. taxpayers provide them with freebies and handouts. Do they have an Army to defend those “civil rights”?
The RINOS will bend over and grab their ankles.
Starting with Juan McLame.
Do it!
Amen....... I say AMEN..... DO I hear any more Amens???
GOP GET with the program. Put your foot down. Sick of “getting along”. Sick to death of it. DO SOMETHING to stop the take over of this country by judges, lawyers, czars, EPA, NLRB and Obama’s ink pen.
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