“Of the estimated 12 million illegal aliens living in the United States, the most worrisome, cumbersome, and expensive to the American taxpayers are the criminals.  When we have the chance to deport dangerous individuals, already in custody, from our shores, shouldn’t we do so?

Some people come to this country illegally because they are impatient with the immigration process.  Perhaps they need work or seek out family members, but others choose an illegal route because they have been rejected by U.S. authorities for criminal reasons. Even worse, others come to America illegally because they cross our borders as smugglers with caches of drugs or contraband. 

For them, it may not be long before these illegal aliens run afoul of the law once again.

It would make sense that, when this happens, local authorities can work quickly and closely with federal authorities to detain and deport these illegal criminals.  Sadly, it does not.  Often, illegal immigrants go through the entire legal process without once addressing their immigration status.  Once they have seen the judge, they may post bail and never be seen again. 

Whenever an illegal immigrant is the subject of arrest for yet another crime we ought to address all outstanding legal issues – including immigration status.

Accomplishing this commonsense enforcement of our laws requires swift cooperation and communication with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  A bill I recently introduced in Congress would clearly and concisely sort this matter out.

 
This bill closes the gap between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement.  Within 48 hours of an illegal immigrant’s arrest, it says, federal authorities will be notified that the person is in custody.  When undocumented aliens violate the laws of our nation once to come here illegally, shame on them.  When they break another law resulting in their arrest and we let them return to American society, shame on us.  Our policies against illegal immigration must get stronger if we are to stop this problem from getting even worse.

The bill’s misguided opponents say that such a policy would discourage the reporting of crimes.  They so strongly feel that illegal immigrants have a right to live in the U.S. that it compromises their ability to support the enforcement of any American law. 

I would suggest that, just maybe, passage of this bill would have a different effect – it would discourage illegal aliens from committing further crimes once they take up illegal residence in America.

The debate points to an even more pressing issue: the enforcement of U.S. immigration law in general, both at the borders and beyond.  In a Congress where many have no qualms about amnesty, and even more are happy to embrace unfettered access to our roadways for trucks coming over our Southern border, respect for the law has eroded. 

Ultimately, we have moved away from the most important component of the discussion about illegal immigration: enforcing U.S. laws at the border.  No one in Congress is foolish enough to suggest that we permit free-flowing, undocumented immigration over our borders.  But by ignoring border enforcement, some in Congress allow this dangerous policy to continue.

We must take advantage of every tool in our arsenal to stop illegal immigration and return aliens who have ignored U.S. laws to their own countries – especially when those individuals continue to commit crimes and endanger the U.S. population.  That policy starts with the dedicated men and women of the law enforcement community, whose hands we should not tie in this important mission.”