ICE May Ignore And Not Accept Illegal Immigrants For Processing From Arizona...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/21/official-says-feds-process-illegals-referred-arizona/

A top Department of Homeland Security official reportedly said his agency will not necessarily process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.

John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made the comment during a meeting on Wednesday with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune, the newspaper reports.

"I don't think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution," Morton told the newspaper.

The best way to reduce illegal immigration is through a comprehensive federal approach, he said, and not a patchwork of state laws.

The law, which criminalizes being in the state illegally and requires authorities to check suspects for immigration status, is not "good government," Morton said.

In response to Morton's comments, DHS officials said President Obama has ordered the Department of Justice to examine the civil rights and other implications of the law.

"That review will inform the government's actions going forward," DHS spokesman Matt Chandler told Fox News on Friday.

Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said ICE is not obligated to process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.

"ICE has the legal discretion to accept or not to accept persons delivered to it by non-federal personnel," Napolitano said. "It also has the discretion to deport or not to deport persons delivered to it by any government agents, even its own."

Morton, according to a biography posted on ICE's website, began his federal service in 1994 and has held numerous positions at the Department of Justice, including as a trial attorney and special assistant to the general counsel in the former Immigration and Naturalization Service and as counsel to the deputy attorney general.

Border apprehensions in Arizona, where roughly 500,000 illegal immigrants are estimated to be living, are up 6 percent since October, according to federal statistics. Roughly 6.5 million residents live in Arizona.

[Scott & Lai 12]

"comprehensive federal approach" = thinly veiled code word for amnesty.

[Darnell 8,478]

Still waiting for the new monthly state 'stats' count from Arizona, after the law goes into effect.

[mawilson 2,133]

Sick.

Such blatant disregard for the law.

[SMOKE 1,426]

arizona needs to bring a bus load of illegals along with a few local & a national or 2 news crew with them. then the whole country can see exactly who's interest are being served in democrat controlled washington d.c. the overwelhming national approval rating of the arizona law will spike & there will be a jackass slaughter at the polls in november.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

We need to secure our borders. It can be done.... heck, we went to the moon.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

We need to secure our borders. It can be done.... heck, we went to the moon.

I don't know, given 20% of population doesn't even believe we ever set foot on the moon I think we're screwed.

BTW, even though I don't like the AZ law, for ICE to turn its back on identified illegals its wrong on so many levels.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Sousuke

[Scott & Lai 12]

We need to secure our borders. It can be done.... heck, we went to the moon.

It's not about the ability to do it, it's about the will to do it. The feds defiantly refuse to enforce the law and protect our borders.

[peejay 327]

The feds defiantly refuse to enforce the law and protect our borders.

That sounds treasonous. It should be an impeachable offense.

[Peikko 1,575]

That sounds treasonous. It should be an impeachable offense.

Go for it Peejay - I am sure ICE has a policy of leakage, deliberately sabotaging the safety of the good people of the USA, TREASON INDEED!!!!!!

What a hoot!

[peejay 327]

Go for it Peejay - I am sure ICE has a policy of leakage, deliberately sabotaging the safety of the good people of the USA, TREASON INDEED!!!!!!

What a hoot!

The carnage to too many Americans due to the failure to enforce our laws is no laughing matter. I'm glad you find it amusing from the safety of your gated community.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

It's time to storm the Bastille!

[natty bumppo 297]

did anyone really expect this administration to instruct ICE to perform its job ?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

did anyone really expect this administration to instruct ICE to perform its job ?

There's no precedent for that.

[Peikko 1,575]

The carnage to too many Americans due to the failure to enforce our laws is no laughing matter. I'm glad you find it amusing from the safety of your gated community.

What has that got to do with your assertion that it's some kind of conspiracy? It's that that I find amusing, that you want to suggest ICE is treasonous.

Carnage, that's a bit rich too, but I expect no less than hyperbole on this issue from some people.