Crackdown on criminal illegal aliens launched by … Barack Obama?
posted at 10:08 am on May 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
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As the boss put it in Headlines this morning, “hell freezes over.” Proverb or no proverb, I’m looking this gift horse right in the mouth. What’s The One’s game here?
“We mean this, we’re serious about it, and we believe we need to put in an all-out effort to get this done,” said Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.), chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee for homeland security. He has led calls to remove illegal immigrants convicted of crimes after their sentences are served…
Under the new program, the immigration checks will be automatic: Fingerprints currently being run through the FBI’s criminal history database also will be matched against immigration databases maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. The effort would not catch people who have never been fingerprinted by U.S. authorities.
Based on the pilot program, the agency estimates that if fingerprints from all 14 million bookings in local jails each year were screened, about 1.4 million “criminal aliens” would be found, Venturella said. That would be about 10 times the 117,000 criminal illegal immigrants ICE deported last year. There are more than 3,100 local jails nationwide, compared with about 1,200 federal and state prisons…
In his proposed 2010 budget, President Obama asked Congress last week for $200 million for the program, a 30 percent increase that puts it on track to receive $1.1 billion by 2013…
Amnesty International and immigrant advocates warn that the change could lead to immigration checks in other arenas and the “criminalization” of illegal immigration.
So alarmingly sensible does this sound that I’m panicked at what the catch might be. Trawl the Hot Air archives (or Michelle’s archives, needless to say) for “criminal illegal aliens” and you’ll turn up dozens of posts about the human toll from illegals who commit crimes, do their time, and then are merrily released back onto the streets without prison officials so much as once checking their status. Patterico had a running series about this phenomenon a few years ago before he gave up, presumably from the sheer volume of incidents he’d have to cover to keep it going. Heather MacDonald’s written about it at length at City Journal too. I can only assume this is The One’s concession to conservatives and centrist Democrats as a prelude to the big amnesty push he’s planning as soon as the economy starts to recover, but even viewed in that context, I’d never have expected him to do something this … rational. And ironically, probably the only reason he feels safe in doing it is because the GOP’s standing with Latinos has sunk so low that Obama doesn’t have to worry about losing too many votes because of it. (Although he will lose some: Last time I looked, our pal Geraldo opposed checking the immigration status of criminals convicted of anything less than a Class A felony.) Exit question: What’s the catch here?
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Do any of you really believe janet napoleon will deport anybody?
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on May 19, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Maybe the Elion Gonzales of the world…
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Either way Republicans can use this as a platform for strengthening true immigration reform.
It’s a win for the GOP all around if they know how to take advantage.
ckoeber on May 19, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Actually, as to the Democrats’ angle on this, that’s not true because with Chris Dodd’s loud outcry of weaslewords, the Senate just refused an amendment that would have made it illegal for banks to issue credit cards to illegal aliens or people in this country illegally, in other words.
Dodd also lied in his official statements about this (the Vitter Amendment) from the Senate floor but I guess by this hour Dodd-lying is to be expected when it comes to rationalizing crime and avoiding doing much of anything to correct criminal problems.
Dodd wants the illegal allens to be in debt in this country, won’t implement processes by which they cannot avoid repaying their debts and sticking the taxpayers with the financial burden of that debt. Dodd loves an indebted America, works tirelessly to ensure that that is protected, America indebted.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Yes, yes it is redundant but it’s the Democrats’ hyperbole to weasle their way around enforcing our laws and into amnesty.
Once they can claim they’ve targeted “criminal illegal aliens,” they can then bray that the illegal aliens are just fine and dandy.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Everyone told me if I voted for McCain/Palin I would have 4 more years of Bush. They were right. Obama: Four More Years of the Same
canditaylor68 on May 19, 2009 at 11:45 AM
All this does is give McShame cover (he thinks) to push his Shamnesty. Don’t forget, this was one of McShame’s specific pieces of “strong enforcement” (LOL) – his only one, really, as he never wanted to even touch the border and only acquiesced after getting beaten down so badly.
Expect to see the worm slinking around the White House in the near future.
progressoverpeace on May 19, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Bingo.
I wonder if this is a red herring. What should we actually be looking at here?
Hmmmm….
Badger40 on May 19, 2009 at 11:48 AM
See, that’s it, exactly, as I just summized (earlier comments here).
This move is political fodder to lay claim to a false achievement by Obama for Obama about Obama. It has nothing to do with enforcing our laws. If it DID have anything to do with enforcing our laws, Obama would not be entertaining counsel from the likes of the Hispanic Caucus (nor would Congress) nor hanging the word, “amnesty” in front of Hispanics like this Administration is doing, pending the 2012 election.
It is the idea of amnesty (for, mostly, Hispanics since this is their battle cry — amnesty for Hispanics who are in this nation illegally as also for their entire families and relatives from wherever Latino) that Obama and handlers (Emanuel, Axelrod, particularly) are using to keep the steam under this voting block (”Hispanics”).
This is among their tools for 2012 as it was for 2008. And it’s WHY, preposterously, some who are Hispanic but claim to be “conservative” (as also they claim to be “catholic”) are supporting Obama in office.
Emanuel’s already said that amnesty won’t happen “until Obama’s second term,” so it’s in their pipe of carrots they’re dangling in front of the voters, and this is part of that process…method by which Obama can claim to have “cracked down” while doing nothing but working toward amnesty for illegal aliens.
Oh, as also the Chinese. Obama’s got them involved, too, in the amnesty idea.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Bill Clinton was far better on immigration enforcement than GW Bush. Clinton’s VA had much better oversight too.
I expect Obama will do some things right. I’ll be happy if immigration enforcement is one of them.
funky chicken on May 19, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Well, when we finally remove the criminal illegal aliens, opposed to the OTHER criminal illegal aliens that suck our social programs dry….see Kalifornia for proof….., it just gives more room in our jails for obama’s Gitmo detainees.
Throw ALL illegal aliens out….THEY ARE ALL CRIMINALS!
HornetSting on May 19, 2009 at 11:54 AM
LOL — wanna bet?
tarpon on May 19, 2009 at 11:54 AM
THE MEDIA only focuses on the “Hispanics” who want amnesty and utterly ignores many millions of Americans who consistently oppose such whether they be Hispanic or not.
The GOP, would that they would, should be supporting those of us who oppose amnesty on the sheer basis that U.S. citizenship is worth something and entering/remaining in this nation illegally delivers no “right” for citizenship to anyone of any color or race or ethnicity, despite all of that DNA or otherwise, citizenship is worth something and illegal aliens are not viable as citizens (and, therefore, will not receive citizenship).
Would that the GOP would assume that position. Unfortunately, with the media’s promotions involved, everyone running for office cowers at the idea of “Hispanics” picketing with upside-down U.S. flags…for amnesty.
The only position I see that those people hold, by the way, is that they are and have broken our laws and are proud of it and want to be rewarded even more by the U.S. for breaking our laws. They certainly don’t love the nation or they would not be here abusing it.
But the McCain-side (what is it, 18% or something, of the Party) of the GOP thinks somehow that illegal aliens are pet rocks or tribbles or something, who should be honored and rewarded. <==Which is why so few Republicans could or will ever take McCain seriously.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Don’t you mean; “El bigote Pedro tendrá una vaca.” ?
Side note: Does anyone else find it amusing that the Spanish word for Moustache, something Geraldo is known for sporting, is spelled very much like the English word “bigot”, a word that Geraldo likes to toss around?
wearyman on May 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM
It’s pitiful how Obama crows on about “the rule of law” and yet his aunt is the epitome of throwing that in the trash, as are the large blocks of supporters that Obama has: they toss aside big principles in their efforts to swoon over the smaller but evocative issues.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:03 PM
EXACTLY. Unions are behind the Obama Administration and funded it (greatly) — AMONG THEM, THE AMERICAN TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION…
They aren’t invested in Obama for nothing and what they’re anticipating is nice big paychecks from the taxpayers for all that “trial” work.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:07 PM
And prison guards: union. Most of them, Hispanic.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:08 PM
It’ll only begin to approach “the right thing” when the pretense of ILLEGAL ALIEN being subdivided into “criminal” (or not) is dropped.
An illegal alien IS a criminal, and also a criminal illegal alien, if the Left insists on pandering with this word, “criminal” applied.
Obama is engaged in his word-divisions-to-infinity process to confuse everyone so that most eventually just relent and go, “he’s such a great speaker, here’s my vote.”
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Bears reprinting.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:12 PM
In order for this to not be more of his typical BS, he would have to first deport himself, and then his Aunt Zituni, who has been illegally receiving welfare and section 8 housing, etc.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 12:22 PM
It’s already criminal, you dunder heads. Good God. I hope this is on the up, and up, but I doubt it. The democrats want them here. It garners them votes. And notice it’s not ALL illegals, it’s just those who have committed crimes.
capejasmine on May 19, 2009 at 12:23 PM
ACORN and low security settings on online campaign donations, though you and everyone knew that, but it bears repeating.
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I wonder if Dems are embarrassed about CA? Remember when they discussed emptying the jails to reduce spending?
chunderroad on May 19, 2009 at 12:29 PM
You answered your own question Allahpundit. Come 2011 Obama will be pushing amnesty, again. Don’t forget his direction to ICE we only do workforce raids if the local US attorney is going to prosecute, slowing the process of clearing the workforce of illegals. Waht you will not see Obama do is crank up e-verify and the IRS sending out notices to companies that have mismatched social security names and numbers. That would force large migration out of the country and he certainly does not want that.
Theworldisnotenough on May 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
ALSO bears repeating.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
CA (Schwarzenegger, Governor) just resorted to reducing by a few dollars the hourly wages of the biggest (one of the biggest) donors to the DNC, the Service Workers Union (SEIU).
What did Obama do? He then threatened (and still is threatening) the state with withholding taxpayer funds from the Porkulus (IS THAT EVEN AN OPTION FOR HIM — is that even within or even appropriate for any President to take such action).
In other words, Obama perpetuates CA – tanking and he’s doing so to keep the Democratic Party rolling on. Guess who comprises a very large portion of the SEIU?
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Must be purely political, otherwise I don’t see why he’d bother.
scalleywag on May 19, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I didn’t realize their were that many illegal Irish waitresses in new york city!
peacenprosperity on May 19, 2009 at 12:41 PM
EXACTLY. It’s an out for Napolitano/Obama/et al., just like I’ve already written here/previously — they can SAY they’re “checking criminal illegal aliens” and then just ignore all the illegal aliens.
The few who get “caught” by this “check” will get a taxpayer-funded attorney courtesy of the Obama-affiliated Trial Lawyers.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 12:44 PM
“Law abiding illegals” — an interesting concept. But in addition to breaking the law when they illegally crossed the border, or illegally overstayed a visa, most illegals commit numerous other crimes to stay in the U.S. — crimes such as document fraud (e.g., fake ID’s, phony SS numbers), perjury (when they sign their names to the lies on sworn documents required by some employers, hospitals, etc.), welfare fraud, income tax evasion, etc.
The fact that the vast majority of illegals aren’t prosecuted for the non-violent crimes they commit (many of which are felonies), doesn’t mean that they’re “law abiding.”
AZCoyote on May 19, 2009 at 12:54 PM
REALTED BACKSTORY: Blurring/confusing the line between “immigrant” and “criminal illegal alien” == the center of which is the journalist-movement in CHICAGO
http://www.nowpublic.com/tag/Immigrant+Connect+Chicago
One random headline being discussed: “Problems with ‘papers’”
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 1:27 PM
RELATED not “REALTED” ^^
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 1:28 PM
The catch is that Obama knows that activists only represent a small number of Hispanics; the majority of Hispanics are terrorized in their communities by these criminals and will be happy that someone is taking responsibility and getting rid of them.
PattyJ on May 19, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Obama has been a disaster on illegal immigration.
Obama’s Nepalitano cancelled all ICE raids against illegals. A raid against a military facility where 100 illegals were working was cancelled by dictator Napalitano. These raids were starting to have a deterrent effect against hiring illegals. Obama had during the campaign said ICE agents were terrorizing illegals during these raids.
Obama’s Napalitano released dozens of illegals in a Bellingham Washington raid that was authorized locally. She put in a new system where any raids need her permission. Thus no more raids.
Obama will not finish the fence.
Obama will not allow the national guard to the border even though the governors of arizona and texas are requesting national guard help.
Obama just took tens of millions out of the budget for states that detain illegals.
This is meaningless they aren’t deporting these illegals. They probably want them to be discriminated.
Obama is the first president ever to not fund the states that are detaining illegals.
That is what is so dangerous about Obama he is going far far left while the right is asleep and so Obama comes off pragmatic even though he goes far left.
Obama has made 4 disastrous decisions on illegals and yet Hot Air is calling him an enforcer.
I googled hot air to see how much attention was paid to Obama’s bad decisions so far on illegal immigration. Nothing.
The right blogs are asleep and instead of taking Obama on and bashing him over policy they are praising him.
If McCain had been elected he would have allowed national guard on the border. Obama stopped arizona request for national guard and texas’s request.
McCain would have finished the fence. Obama against
finishing the fence.
McCain would have kept the 80 million to the states that detain illegals. Obama took away the funding and hot air was silent about this. Obama took away the funding for the jailing of illegals and hot air is calling him an enforcer.
McCain would not have called off a raid against 100 illegals working at a military facility like Obama’s Napalitano did.
Obama said ICE agents were terrorizing illegals and now he is an enforcer.
The politics in this country suck. Obama is governing like a full fledged marxist and yet is being praised by blogs like hot air who tore McCain apart.
Obama is so dangerous because he is full speed ahead with marxist policies while there are no leaders on the right and the media is in the tank for him.
So while Obama governs from the far left the right is so asleep and the MSM is so in the tank that Obama is viewed as a pragmatist.
ryandan on May 19, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Too specific.
AUINSC on May 19, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Enforcer are you kidding me.
Obama bashed the supreme court as a candidate for stopping a section of the border fence because it could affect the enviornment.
Hot air had nothing when Obama just stopped all funding for states that detain illegals.
Obama stops long running policy on funding states and counties that detain illegals and Obama stopped that program in his new budget.
But Hot Air didn’t bash him on that policy.
When Napalitano stopped a raid against a military facility where 100 illegals were working Hot Air was silent. Like it never happened.
Obama is reversing long standing policy. But Bush got tarnished when he allowed raids and funded states that detained illegals.
You can go to freerepublic they are praising how Obama is better than Bush on illegals.
It isn’t true Obama and Napalitano are far worse than McCain and Bush.
Obama is refusing texas and arizona having national guard to help with the border violence. Bush allowed national guard to help when the states asked.
Where are the minutemen? Silent, while they bashed McCain and Bush.
The worst part about this Obama era is he goes full throttle left and is praised as a moderate.
Obama is governing just like the most liberal voting senator that he was yet americans think he is a moderate.
Time for Hot air and the right to wake up.
ryandan on May 19, 2009 at 2:13 PM
*cough*bullshit*cough*
He says these things…so what, it’s not important what he says.
Watch what he actually does, then compare.
Spiritk9 on May 19, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Susanboo on May 19, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Democrates– Quick to abort but never deport.
SFTech on May 19, 2009 at 4:09 PM
FIFY
psrch on May 19, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Two possibilities come to mind: One that he has started to govern and stopped campaigning–a welcome change if it has occurred and I will be able to accept him if it continues— or two that he is adopting GOP talking points and premises in an effort to hi-jack these and prevent them being used against him. I hope this is not the case. The jury is out for the moment. Watch and see.
jeanie on May 19, 2009 at 7:22 PM
November 2009:
O’Bummer: Let’s give amnesty to the illegals.
GOP: No way.
O’Bummer: You are racist
GOP: No we just don’t want to reward criminal behavior
O’Bummer: But you see I deported all the criminals. You’re racist.
GOP: OK let’s do it.
angryed on May 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Not sure what the catch is yet, but keep looking, it’s there somewhere. Maybe he will do this and cut the funding in a backwards attempt to reduce the deficit, lol. That way he looks like he took a stand and cut spending.
I had to laugh at this! LOL
jeffn21 on May 20, 2009 at 11:44 AM
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