I fucking LOVE it!
New bill puts illegals on federal lawmakers' doorsteps
by Shern-Min Chow / 11 News
khou.com
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:14 PM
Updated today at 8:05 PM
HOUSTON -- The heated controversy over illegal immigration could soon land on the doorstep of federal lawmakers, literally.
A new bill in Austin says that, if the feds won't pick up a suspected illegal immigrant who is convicted of a crime, then they should be left at the office of the nearest congressperson.
Undocumented immigrants, like everyone else, often serve shorter sentences for smaller crimes in county jails. After an inmate is released, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are supposed to take the person into custody. Often though, ICE doesn't.
“Our local law enforcement is forced to let them go. It could be at county line, which some of our sheriffs do, or it could be in your neighborhood,” said Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham.
In frustration, the lawmaker has introduced House Bill 1455. It allows local law enforcement to "release or discharge the illegal immigrant at the office of a United States senator or United States representative."
“ICE may be more responsive to them than our local police and sheriff,” Kolkhorst said.
Outside the state capitol, activists were rallying, chanting the familiar “Si, se puede” or “Yes, we can.”
They want to legalize the undocumented, and are not happy with the proposal.
“That's laughable. So that means congresswomen and congresspersons would be enforcing immigration laws?” asked Network for Humans Right Board Executive Director Fernando Garcia.
Kolkhorst said yes.
“The administration has told us this is a federal issue, not a state issue, so we're going to let them help us with that,” she said.
ICE compliance is uneven. It is poor in some counties, but good in Harris County, which houses 10,000 inmates. Each month, 1,000 inmates are flagged for questionable immigration status and ICE agents pick them up daily.
Supporters want that to be the case in every county.
ICE spokesman Greg Palmore said the agency doesn't break down the numbers of those in their custody based on who end up deported, and or released in Texas
New bill puts illegals on federal lawmakers' doorsteps
by Shern-Min Chow / 11 News
khou.com
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:14 PM
Updated today at 8:05 PM
HOUSTON -- The heated controversy over illegal immigration could soon land on the doorstep of federal lawmakers, literally.
A new bill in Austin says that, if the feds won't pick up a suspected illegal immigrant who is convicted of a crime, then they should be left at the office of the nearest congressperson.
Undocumented immigrants, like everyone else, often serve shorter sentences for smaller crimes in county jails. After an inmate is released, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are supposed to take the person into custody. Often though, ICE doesn't.
“Our local law enforcement is forced to let them go. It could be at county line, which some of our sheriffs do, or it could be in your neighborhood,” said Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham.
In frustration, the lawmaker has introduced House Bill 1455. It allows local law enforcement to "release or discharge the illegal immigrant at the office of a United States senator or United States representative."
“ICE may be more responsive to them than our local police and sheriff,” Kolkhorst said.
Outside the state capitol, activists were rallying, chanting the familiar “Si, se puede” or “Yes, we can.”
They want to legalize the undocumented, and are not happy with the proposal.
“That's laughable. So that means congresswomen and congresspersons would be enforcing immigration laws?” asked Network for Humans Right Board Executive Director Fernando Garcia.
Kolkhorst said yes.
“The administration has told us this is a federal issue, not a state issue, so we're going to let them help us with that,” she said.
ICE compliance is uneven. It is poor in some counties, but good in Harris County, which houses 10,000 inmates. Each month, 1,000 inmates are flagged for questionable immigration status and ICE agents pick them up daily.
Supporters want that to be the case in every county.
ICE spokesman Greg Palmore said the agency doesn't break down the numbers of those in their custody based on who end up deported, and or released in Texas
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