The American Spectator : Deportation Distortions

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Deportation Distortions

By W. James Antle, III on 12.8.10 @ 6:09AM

Rushing to break records, the Obama administration lets illegal immigrants off the hook in the name of deporting them.

Barack Obama might tell Hispanic voters that Republican opponents of "comprehensive immigration reform" are "enemies" who deserve to be punished. His Justice Department might have sued Arizona. His appointees in the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may circulate memos talking about how to implement amnesty administratively if Congress won't act. Unionized customs officers and border patrol agents may protest that immigration laws are going unenforced.

Don't let any of that fool you, however: Barack Obama is tough on illegal immigration. The proof? He has presided over a record number of deportations. The New York Times, the Washington Post, and irritated liberal bloggers reported that more illegal immigrants have been removed from the country under Obama than ever before. "When the secretary tells you that the numbers are at an all-time high, that's straight, on the merits, no cooking of the books," John Morton, Obama's head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), boasted at an October press conference.

In Monday's Washington Post, Andrew Becker of the Center for Investigative Reporting demonstrated that some books were indeed cooked in the process of attaining this record. (The Post's headline writers preferred the phrase "unusual methods.") It was reminiscent of the White House's number of jobs "created or saved" by the stimulus, with some PBS fundraising marathon tactics thrown in for good measure.

Brecker reports that in order to reach the 392,862-deportation finish line, ICE included more than 19,000 illegals who had departed in the previous fiscal year. They also extended a Mexican repatriation program by an additional five weeks in order to be able to count 6,500 exits that "would normally have been tallied by the U.S. Border Patrol."

Worst of all, when it looked like immigration authorities were going to fall short of the goal, they began to encourage immigrants to leave through "voluntary return." This speedy process leaves no mark on the individual's immigration track record, leaving them eligible to apply for legal residence or travel to the United States later.

Some of the people so processed would have normally gone before an immigration judge to contest charges they had committed offenses like drunk driving, domestic violence, and misdemeanor assault -- and now there will be no record. Once the deportation record was broken, this unusual use of voluntary return was reportedly halted.

An ICE employee in Louisiana told Brecker that over a two-week period, he saw 100 to 150 Mexican nationals, some of whom had multiple drunk driving convictions, reassigned to voluntary return. Others reported similar numbers. Amnesty through enforcement!

"Without these efforts and the more than 25,000 deportations that came with them," Brecker reported, "the agency would not have topped last year's record level of 389,834, current and former ICE employees and officials said." Feel better now?

An acting ICE assistant director sent emails more appropriate for a telethon than serious enforcement of the country's immigration laws: "We are just 1061 shy of 390,000. However, we still get to count closed cases through Monday, October 4th so… keep having your folks concentrate on closing those cases."

This kind of chicanery isn't unique to the Obama administration -- one former field office director is quoted as saying similar things happened under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. But some of the specific revelations make the White House's overall immigration posture even harder to swallow.

The Obama immigration team keeps rebutting evidence of its pro-amnesty leanings -- buttressed by leaked e-mails and memos -- by saying the statistics show enforcement proceeding normally. There will be no amnesties, backdoor or otherwise. Just a tough but fair approach to enforcing the law.

Andrew Brecker's report is just the latest reason to suspect politics is foremost on their minds.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (65) | Leave a comment

Joedoc| 12.8.10 @ 6:26AM

The next truth that comes out of Obamas administration will be the first.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 11:04AM

At least things are changing a bit; under president Nero, er.. that is, Bush, it was stagnation to the max.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 4:56PM

We should have elected Bibi Nethanyahu, he would have vaporized those filthy wetbacks.

IMKessel| 12.8.10 @ 5:19PM

Putting aside your ironic use of the racist term in your post, who has Bibi Nethanyahu vaporized?

If you are stating that Nethanyahu has protected the borders of his country as no American president has done, I fail to see how this is inappropriate. It is one of his sworn duties, just as it is one for our president.

PS Bring back the Reader's Mail page.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 6:29PM

Kessel, there's some misunderstanding. As a faithful and unconditional pro Israel militant, I admire what Bibi has done hitherto. The difference is that Bibi rules whereas Hussein sucks.

IMKessel| 12.8.10 @ 7:24PM

Amen.

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 9:58PM

ditto

Alan Brooks| 12.9.10 @ 3:08PM

I did not write the above comments, Ira.
If Tim* wants to steal IDs (he has already driven Margie away), it is a curse on him-- not anyone else.
Can't someone at AS' computer office do something about that perpetual teenager Tim*?

George Field| 12.10.10 @ 7:26AM

I'm pleased and astonished. I completely agree with your statement. I think you may have made my day!

Alan Brooks| 12.10.10 @ 2:26AM

I'm president of Morons R US.

Redstateboy| 12.8.10 @ 8:59AM

When Hussien gives his next "State of the Union" address to a Republican Congressional House Majority come this January.. I relish another Joe Wilson: "You Lie!" moment but this time.. in chorus.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 2:13PM

I honestly think the only thing to do for it is elect a Latina for president, then she can sweet-talk her #1 constituency:
"we hispanics are wonderful, but please let's not overdo it with too much of a good thing. We can't take in an unlimited number of the poor & huddled yearning to get on section 8..."

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 5:22PM

"I honestly think" being a figure of speech, of course, because I hardly think at all and I'm not honest, but you had already figured that.
Tim* where are you?

Alan Brooks| 12.9.10 @ 3:13PM

Tim, ID theft is a serious infraction, your address can be located; and:
Tim, why take it out on us that your colonel father was a martinet? If he is still alive call him up and say "may the ghost of your former mistresses haunt you."

Give It to the Old Man, not anyone here.

Alan Brooks| 12.10.10 @ 2:28AM

I couldn't find my way out of a wet paper bag. My stupidity is overwhelming. I'm a congenital liar, honest!

Eric Cartman| 12.8.10 @ 9:25AM

I see by the photo that they fly illegals back to whatever third-world toilet they came from??? Really??? What happened to the catapults on the border? Maybe it was just my imagination or calming day dream, but I thought ICE took Pedro, put him in a big, mid-evil catapult along with his family, cranked it back to full tension, cut the cord and Phooooosh! Back over to Mexico they flew! Maybe it was they way Liberals said we were treating the poor, poor "immigrants" that I got that idea. Well, wherever I got that image, my dreams are shattered now!

buckeyeman| 12.8.10 @ 10:04AM

That idea is, well, just ... medieval.

Mel Torme| 12.8.10 @ 10:14AM

This is one area in which I don't think the Obama administration is doing anything worse than what Bush, Clinton, Bush's Dad would have done (yeah, I know Reagan had Amnesty I, but I don't think they were as dishonest about the illegal alien situation).

Almost all of the Fed Gov't wants to transform the US into a different country, and they've been succeeding - for some, i.e., GW Bush, it was called compassion. It's all about "compassion" - for the foreigners and all the rest of the world, that is. There is no compassion for Americans; it just ain't part of the new world order. The US Gov't's job seems to be taking care of the world, they are not too concerned about the freedom of Americans. We are not too concerned about how long this government will stand, either.

jrjr| 12.8.10 @ 5:08PM

Eric, the catapult is brilliant. We could ask the Mythbusters to make a big one, capable of dwarf-tossing 10 of the illegals at a time. When they land in Mehico, they can be counted as "out."

Eric Cartman| 12.8.10 @ 11:46AM

The humorless TSA Agent is monitoring the board today. Don't be creative, whatever you do.

Redstateboy| 12.8.10 @ 10:43AM

recently viewed the Utube track of the garbage being strewn across our National Parks along the Arizona-Mexican border. If the Lame-stream media had an ounce of integrity.. that's a story that should be told to America.

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:01PM

Exactly! Where are all the GREENIES?

hunter| 12.8.10 @ 11:06AM

Yea..The lying sack of ... probably give'em a round trip ticket and a absentee voter registration for for 2012. The bastard!

ABNCP| 12.8.10 @ 11:58AM

I am the Democrat, Liberal, Progressive's worst nightmare. I am a White, Consearvative, Tax-Paying, American Veteran, Gun owner.
I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't want to push it on anyone else.
I believe the money I make belongs to me, and not some liberal progressive who wants to share it with others who do not work.
I think a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it.
I believe that if you are selling a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English. I believe there should be no other language option.
I believe that anyone has the right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
I don't hate the rich, I don't pity the poor.
I've never owned a slave, nor was I ever a slave and neither have you.
I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country.
This is America. We like it the way it is and more so the way it was...so stop trying to make us change things here and make us into some socialist country.
I want to know which Church the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton preaches in, where they get their money and why they are always a part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an amen on that?
I belileve the cops have a right to pull you over if you are breaking the law, regardless of what color you are, and no I don't having to show my drivers license and I'm proud that God is written on our money.
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot machine works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world.
I believe it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes

Crazy Communist| 12.8.10 @ 5:05PM

I see you never had a decent education. Even Deach Acheson or George Kennan would have laughed at that :x

Crazy Communist.| 12.10.10 @ 2:29AM

Yes, I am. (see above)

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:04PM

Excellent! Well Said! Patriot! American!

Harold| 12.9.10 @ 5:12PM

It takes 2 parents to raise a child, 1male and 1 female. OK one person can do it alone if necessary, but not as effectively. As long as Jackson and Sharpton remain part of the problem their money comes from people like Soros, socialists seeking to destroy America

ABNCP| 12.8.10 @ 12:02PM

Sorry folks got too excited. Continue:
TWO PARENTS
I believe illegal is illegal no matter what the lawyers say.
I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in America.
If this makes me a bad American, too bad.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 1:07PM

No, that is reasonable. but so many millions of illegals (3, 4 mil?) have entered, you don't think they are going to leave, do you?

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 4:50PM

Well, they can use my restroom anyway. As long as they don't vote Republican with fake ID's.

Alan Brooks| 12.10.10 @ 2:30AM

I'm an illegal alien. Please deport me immediately!

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 1:05PM

Maybe you're right, but what did Bush do on immigration in eight entire years?
Bush was/is not culpable for the situation w/ illegals-- however that alone is a real case damning with faint praise.

Alan Brooks| 12.8.10 @ 4:53PM

Sorry for the dumb knee jerk anti Bush crap I just posted above. I keep forgetting it's been 2 years since The Messiah stormed the White House.

Alan Brooks| 12.10.10 @ 2:32AM

Maybe you're right, but what did Obama do on immigration in two entire years?
Obama is culpable for the situation w/ illegals-- however that alone is not a real case damning with faint praise.

steve| 12.8.10 @ 1:57PM

Our Government, has allowed the invasion of 30 million criminals in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution. they force American tax payers to pay Billions to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders children, free medical care,massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!
.youtube.com/watch?v=tsH8xvjTAlo
.youtube.com/watch?v=Btj6IeOFkis&feature=player_embedded
immigrationcounters.com/
.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
.immigrationshumancost.org/
.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty580.htm
.youtube.com/watch?v=muw22wTePqQ
.gopetition.com/petition/40860.html
Every Non-representative including obama and holder need to be IMPEACHED! for not upholding the oath of office they swore to defend the Constitution! If these clowns were to do their job, this would all be a Moot point!
Anchor babies and their criminal parents go, period, and cut the phony tears, you knew you were breaking the law when you crossed the border.

Next shut down any business hiring illegal labor and confiscate all property belonging to the owner. Property will be sold at auction and the proceeds to pay for the massive deportation. Oh and owners go to jail.
Got a better idea? Lets here it!

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:06PM

Yes Sir!

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 3:32PM

Please take a look at the maps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_evolution_of_Mexico

Most of what is the Western USA used to belong to Mexico before it was taken by force and compensated for with a small token "payment".

Eric Cartman| 12.8.10 @ 3:46PM

Ooooooo, that's so interesting. You should see the map of the Aztec Empire before the Spanish came. Or for some really interesting stuff, look at the map of Canada in 1700! WOW! Look at that! Wait a minute, look at the map of Panama in 1850! Oh, wait - Panama wasn't around in 1850. Well, there has to be some other maps I can look at because I'm a Liberal Loser Ahole. Oh, wait. I'm not a Liberal Loser Ahole, you are. So keep looking at old maps. Putz.

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 4:00PM

Actually I am a registered Libertarian and have respect for private property rights.

Eric Cartman| 12.9.10 @ 10:25AM

Well, then . . . let's see you start giving back your land to whomever claims it - American Indians, Mexicans, etc. Lead by example, Les. As for RVC, I only post under my name - If I use yours to make a point, you'll know it. As for calling you Liberals assholes, that's what you are. I have such little respect for you. However, I hate calling you assholes because to do so is to make assholes look bad. So, if you want to help out assholes, please tell me what you wished to be called and I'll mull it over.

skip| 12.10.10 @ 4:54PM

Everyone knows all the Native North American Indians (Original American Firsters?), who inhabited this land after the northeastern Asians (Original Original North American Firsters?) had moved on south to South America (Original South American Firsters?), lived in peace among all the tribes before that horrible Columbus (Original Anti-Original North American Firster?) arrived. And who did God (Original Discriminator Firster?) think He was to let His discriminatory Chosen People (Original Discriminist Firsters?) take over the inhabitants (Original Discriminated Firsters?) of the land of milk and honey?

(Isn't 'liberal assholes' redundant?)

RCV| 12.8.10 @ 4:44PM

Maybe someday you could make a point without calling someone names.

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:09PM

Too bad the indians did not keep maps, eh? Perhaps when the spanish invaded... took their land... yes, indeed, lets troll out the old maps. I think they found some in a cave too... caveman maps...

Margaret| 12.8.10 @ 5:20PM

Mexicans are not coming to the U.S. for land; they are seeking jobs and rule of law, both of which Mexico does not provide. Ironically, by not respecting U.S. immigration laws, illegal immigrants contribute to the erosion of U.S. rule of law.

Tim the Enchanter| 12.9.10 @ 2:13PM

Pardon me if I seem ignorant, but isn't it the Winners, and not the Losers, in a war that get to dictate the terms of surrender? Mexico lost, we won. Also, completely off the point, but what do you think Mexico would have done with that land that they lost? (Here's a clue: exactly what they have done with what they already have!)

RCV| 12.8.10 @ 5:18PM

... so you would show me how to do it, because I'm clueless.

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 5:25PM

To look at the maps?

Simply copy and paste this into your browser...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_evolution_of_Mexico

You could also Google "Territorial evolution of Mexico" and look for the Wikipedia article.

RCV| 12.8.10 @ 6:48PM

Sorry, Les. Eric Cartman, the fellow who has to call people names to substitute for intelligence, likes to pull little junior high stunts like this. I didn't write it.

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 9:20PM

Thanks for your kind reply. It is unfortunate that Eric and others cannot understand both sides of dilemma.

"We must not forget libertarianism is not a teleological dogma striving for a certain end; it rather sees individual freedom and rights as the natural point of departure for a just society. When people are truly free, whatever will be will be. Hence, the question is not what the effects of a certain immigration policy would be, but whether there should be one at all".

See: http://mises.org/daily/1980

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:11PM

not my cup of TEA.

skip| 12.11.10 @ 8:42PM

No kidding.

As if any regular reader here does not know RCV posts "I'm clueless" and can't figure out it wasn't the Real Christian Veritably him/her/itself.

(Christ: "The Book of Life" has foundyour unintelligence and dishonesty harmful to your fellow man.

RCV: I object!)

Rebecca| 12.8.10 @ 8:51PM

Obviously, as everyone knows, we have let this immigration problem go on for much too long. (May I be so crude as to say)-- We have allowed these people to live here long enough to populate the United States with their anchor babies. Anchor babies grow up to vote. Anchor baby voter blocks, most likely, will vote Socialist Democrat. The liberal radicals are now on the brink of taking control of our capitalist system. While we chatter, tweet, comment, and bemoan all of this, nothing in Congress is being done to stop it. The previous administrations did nothing. However, this White House is now in disarray, totally frustrating "normal Americans" who knew this would happen when "Man Who Would Be King", Obama, was elected. The illegals are still crossing the border at an alarming rate, our economy is in a shambles, the drug cartels are taking over Mexico, (and the border), our foreign policy is non-existent, and (the only thing Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is proficient in is having Bubba's "girls" followed for blackmail purposes.) This bantering back and forth is getting us nowhere, and all the while, Obama and his Socialist flock of vultures are simply digging their claws deeper into the flesh of America. The liberal radicals and their left-wing idiocy must be shunned, and the truly conservative Americans, who love personal freedom, must take the time to stop this left-wing radical assault on this country. We must be vocal, express our resentment of the Socialist ideology, and let our freedom loving red American blood flow...no more political correctness...No, we no longer have to accept it. We have to stand up for the America we believe in, and not let these sniveling liberals dictate to us. Speak up and speak out. Above all, hold the feet of this new Republican House to the fire in January, and do not let up.

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 9:35PM

What is your definition of a "normal American"?

Greg| 12.8.10 @ 10:16PM

WELL SAID! YES!
Enough of the COMPROMISES that got us here, lets uncompromise. TEA for me! (You know, normal Americans ticked off at how their country is being dictated too by an extreme left bunch of loons, spending, baby murder, debt, a do nothing congress that do not read or write bills, etc...)

California Example: The people VOTED for PROP 8. Liberal judges and left wing loons will tell the people to go to hell.

carnot| 12.8.10 @ 9:14PM

if you have a job...work hard: 12,000,000 illegals are depending upon you.

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 9:44PM

Have you ever been turned down for a job due to an "illegal alien" being hired? If so, please describe the circumstances and repercussions...

Greg| 12.9.10 @ 12:01AM

... certainly our COLLEGE STUDENTS who want work during college have a tough time when all the illegals are filling up the fast food and such industries... Yeah, not alot of high tech illegals running across the border taking Microsoft jobs... point taken, but the janitor, hotel maid, fast food, etc... all jobs that americans would take when needed, and college kids.... are gone.
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/
http://www.steinreport.com/

carnot| 12.8.10 @ 9:17PM

Dream Act just passed the House.

ok by me....send em all to CA!

Les Smith| 12.8.10 @ 9:33PM

Review the 10th Amendment... Why should people in CA fund welfare for residents of NY just as why should people in NY fund welfare for residents of CA?

The Federal Government has vastly overstepped the boundaries as set by the Founding Fathers and should simply just stay in compliance within the authority that was granted to them by the US Constitution.

Greg| 12.9.10 @ 12:03AM

Why is there welfare at all?
Related:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics.....e-to-rise/

Ben| 12.9.10 @ 12:03PM

I understand what all you people are saying, and it is fo the most part right. It is the way you guys are saying it. It is the same rant and same hate the Germans had against the Jews, Brits had against the Irish, Serbs against the Croats, and so on and so on...

alex| 12.9.10 @ 6:36PM

they are just 21st century slaves. they were called slaves now we call it cheap labor. we either take the job to them or we bring them here to do the job. do you guys honestly believe that if the government doesn't want them to come they would have a chance crossing the border? think about it, the entire american way of life depends on it. you are all lying to yourselves.