Posted on 01/04/2016 10:31:56 AM PST by jazusamo
Some 121 people in the U.S. illegally were arrested this past weekend and are currently in the process of being deported back to their home countries, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.
The arrest of the immigrants marks the first major offensive since a wave of families and unaccompanied children flooded the nation's southern border in 2014, which prompted a renewed debate about U.S. immigration laws and led to accusations from conservatives that the Obama administration has been too weak on protecting the border.
This weekend's efforts "should come as no surprise," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement announcing the arrests.
"I have said publicly for months that individuals who constitute enforcement priorities, including families and unaccompanied children, will be removed," he said.
The raids targeted adults and children who were caught attempting to cross the border after May 1, 2014, who have been told to leave the country by an immigration court and who would not be eligible to stay in the U.S. by seeking asylum or through other means.
The immigrants were primarily arrested in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, Johnson said.
Details about the DHS's crackdown were first reported in December.
The actions could have ripples throughout the presidential race.
Republicans have been eager to blast President Obama for what they say is a misguided complacency with immigrants in the country illegally, following on the aggressive promises of front-runner Donald Trump. Democrats, meanwhile, have been more critical of new enforcement efforts, which they describe as unnecessary and contrary to the country's history of welcoming foreigners.
On Monday, the Obama administration framed the new deportations as part of a tough approach to protecting the border that nonetheless made allowances for humanitarian values.
"I know there are many who loudly condemn our enforcement efforts as far too harsh, while there will be others who say these actions don't go far enough," Johnson said. "I also recognize the reality of the pain that deportations do in fact cause.
"But, we must enforce the law consistent with our priorities."
In addition to the latest arrests, Johnson claimed that the number of Border Patrol apprehensions of people trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2015 had declined to one of the lowest figures in decades.
In 2014, thousands of children and unaccompanied minors coming from Central America flooded the southern border, straining the government's resources. Since then, immigration officials have been increasing their deportations, the DHS claimed, averaging about 14 per week.
“Some 121 people in the U.S. illegally were arrested this past weekend and are currently in the process of being deported back to their home countries, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.”
Call me when it is 121 illegal invaders arrested per second. That will get my attention.
Obama: “ Bankruptcy is our hope & change, fools! “
Gee!We only have 35 million plus to go.
Only several million to go...
Barely one boxcar
They will probably be dumped right across the border where they can easily come back. This is likely just for show. They usually do this before they start some amnesty offensive.
Only 10,999,879 to go!
I admit I burst out laughing when I read that line...
Wow...a whole 14 per week...!!!
That many cross over into the US illegally every 15 minutes...
121 = pissin in the ocean
I hear you both.
Hard to believe they have the guts to put a press release out like this, what shameless turkeys this entire administration are.
The democrats are now on record as endorsing, even beginning, Trump's deportation plan.
The principal has been agreed upon. Now it's just a matter of scale.
Heck they probably get a free bus passes back and several vouchers to start again...
You just don't toss democrat voters over the fence...
How can democrats agree in principle when they have no principles...
You do understand this is simply for show...not any principles...
However, what a snappy conduct for charges about how mean Republicans are for deporting illegals:
We're simply continuing the democratic policy of deportations.
Sorry... I meant “snappy comeback.”
We have about 20 million illegals. We need to arrest every one we can find and keep them in tent cities (where they cannot earn money) until they are deported. They will have less incentive to fight if they are not making money from their crimes and if they are not living comfortably on welfare.
Amen to that. Sheriff Joe is doing just fine with tent cities, not a valid reason in the world the Feds couldn’t do the same with illegal aliens.
It’d be a cheap way to hold them for deportation and a huge deterrent after the word spread.
Wonder if they know they need 2,000/day to break even?
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