U.S. Eases Deportation Policy

The Wall Street Journal ^ | August 18, 2011 | MIRIAM JORDAN

[Second Amendment First]

With a view to maximize use of immigration-enforcement resources, the Obama administration has decided it will, on a case by case basis, allow many illegal immigrants who face deportation to remain in the U.S.

A senior administration official said Thursday that federal authorities will review individually the cases of some 300,000 illegal immigrants in deportation proceedings. Those who haven't committed crimes and aren't deemed a threat to public safety will have a chance to stay in the U.S. and apply for a work permit.

"The idea is to make sure that we are investing enforcement resources where they are best utilized," the senior administration official said. The idea, the official said, is to "Identify low-priority cases… and administratively close the case so they no longer clog the system." The official added that the case could be reopened by the government at any time.

The decision will also benefit about 11 million illegal immigrants who live in the U.S. but aren't currently in the deportation system because they haven't been caught by federal authorities, the official said.

"They will be less likely to enter the caseload to begin with so we can focus on folks in caseload who are high priority," said the government official, who declined to be named.

The announcement outraged hardliners on illegal immigration but seemed to placate some immigrant advocates angered by record removals of illegal immigrants and lack of progress in an overhaul of the immigration system.

"In essence, the administration has declared that U.S. immigration is now virtually unlimited to anyone willing to try to enter—subject only to those who commit violent felonies after arrival. This is not the nation's immigration law," says Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

[eekitsagreek]

Since there is not the political will, including some Republicans to get rid of them, at least they can be paying rather than costing the country money.

I doubt we will hear much from the GOP on this. After all, the GOP is the party of "big business" and what "big business" loves is cheap labor.

[stephenjohnbanker]

OBAMA IS BREAKING THE FEDERAL LAW BY GRANTING AMNESTY TO MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS WHO ARE CRIMINAL TRESPASSERS.

THIS IS AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND DEMAND OBAMA BE IMPEACHED!!!!

OBAMA IS TRYING TO STEAL THE ELECTION!

IF 20 MILLION ILLEGALS ARE NOW NOT AFRAID TO VOTE, WE ARE FINISHED!

[blackie]

Protect American workers, not foreign invaders!!

[Born to Conserve]

Anyone know how many of the immigration courts are inside prisons? You might be surprised. That’s where their customers live.