Collapse of immigration law enforcement detailed to House Committee

 

Jessica Vaughan, a security expert with the Center for Immigration Studies, testified on February 25, 2015 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittees on National Security and Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules.  The Committee was holding a Hearing to review DHS policies and procedures for the apprehension, detention, and release of non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. 

 

Ms. Vaughan’s lengthy testimony used the government’s own statistics along with information from sheriffs and ICE employees in the interior of the country, to describe in detail what the current, dangerous situation is.

 

Her statement begins:

 

 “…There can be no doubt that immigration enforcement is in a state of collapse. Border apprehensions, which are considered an indicator of illegal crossing attempts, are rising and many of the illegal crossers are being released into the country instead of repatriated. Hundreds of thousands of temporary visitors are overstaying their visas each year. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statistics show clearly that over the last several years the number of deportations has plummeted and the number of illegal aliens allowed to stay and work in the United States has increased. The vast majority of illegal aliens residing in the interior face no threat of deportation, regardless of when or how they arrived, or if they have been deported before. Many deportable aliens who are encountered and apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are released soon after, even if they have come to ICE's attention after being arrested by local authorities. 

 

"This state of affairs can be traced directly to policy changes put in place by the Obama administration. While administration officials claims that these policies are 'smarter and more effective' and allow the agencies to better focus on aliens who represent a threat to the public, in reality the intent, and certainly the result, has been the dismantlement of effective enforcement. It is no exaggeration to say that DHS is running a massive catch and release program.  …"

 

To read the entire statement, click here:  http://cis.org/Testimony/Vaughan-DHS-Immigration-Enforcement-Oversight