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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Sweet.
therightwinger on May 19, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Obama is starting to look like Bush more and more everyday. He needs to realize who put him in power or there will be a backlash
nice343 on May 19, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Union payback.
Skywise on May 19, 2009 at 10:11 AM
When you have complete power you are able to throw bones. It shuts up the opposition and the lefties will live with it.
tomas on May 19, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Criminal illegal aliens.
Isn’t that redundant?
fogw on May 19, 2009 at 10:13 AM
well…okay then.
ExTex on May 19, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Well, you know there has to be one. Not sure what is going on here. I’m glad he’s doing this if he actually does it.
deidre on May 19, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Unless you remove the rest of the family of that “one” criminal, this doesn’t mean anything.
moonsbreath on May 19, 2009 at 10:14 AM
The catch is that the request for funds gets publicity and Obama looks all law and order. But then Congress doesn’t grant the increase and the media does not report it.
The only thing people will remember is that Obama clamped down on illegals.
myrenovations on May 19, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Does NO ONE care about american votes??
ExTex on May 19, 2009 at 10:15 AM
It means Dear Leader is racist!
rbj on May 19, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Are you implying that criminal illegal aliens put him in power? I don’t see who he could possibly be offending otherwise /s
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Spot ON!
You KNOW Pasha al-Chicago wears the Union Label on his shirt sleeve (the same place other LibTards wear their emotions) so he’ll bend over for them in a New York minute for a Chicago handshake.
SeniorD on May 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
vapig on May 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM
We’ll be expected to live with the Uyghurs?
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Good, let’s start with his aunt.
Enoxo on May 19, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Hehe… there’s the catch. She’s not in jail.
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Triangulation, pure and simple.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Guess he figured out that even “illegals” don’t want “criminal illegals” to stay in the US. Of course, there is the whole “crossing the border illegally is criminal …” issue but …”
doufree on May 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM
It’s a win-win for Barack. He can pose as being tough on illegal immigration, and a law and order president, while focusing on the segment nobody wants anyway – namely criminals.
As others have said, there’s gotta be some union payback here.
Buy Danish on May 19, 2009 at 10:22 AM
If they entered the US illegally and/or have overstayed their VISA illegally then they are criminal, right? So, based on that logic you lock up everyone who crossed illegally or have illegally overstayed their VISA. Wow lets build some prisons…
jbh45 on May 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
This is how it works: Look at how expensive this program is, if we only legalized everyone then they would be included under the normal crime-fighting auspices of various police agencies rather than the DHS.
Bishop on May 19, 2009 at 10:25 AM
He has border lying personality disorder.
Now every move to save money costs a lot and is structured to grant union workers the growth they seek. More jails to hold people wating for deportation. those must be union jobs. Another comment on dishonesty. The illegals do not get free lawyers. The ACLU will fix that and demand they get free council and entitlement to a fair deportatin trial.
seven on May 19, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Geraldo. Heh.
Joe Caps on May 19, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Meanwhile, the death toll continues.
T J Green on May 19, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I think he’s just trying to open up some space in jails for “those who don’t think the right way.”
AmericanUnderground on May 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I thought the same thing, Moustache Pedro will have a cow.
thomasaur on May 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Let’s all work ourselves into a lather about how angry we are that he did the right thing.
YYZ on May 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM
God forbid the U.S. should actually criminalize illegal behavior. What kind of message would that send to people who are deliberately breaking the law? That they might actually be punished for doing so? What a horrible, racist thing to even contemplate!/
AZCoyote on May 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM
It’s a Trap!!!
BigWyo on May 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM
[Channeling Scott Levenson] Why does the President hate brown people?
/sarc
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM
One reason, middle class, independent voter, job angst, diffusion.
Speakup on May 19, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Illegal Alien Crime isn’t a partisan issue, they don’t check a person’s political status before they victimize someone.
Geraldo is so far out a limb with his opinion on NON enforcement of LAWS on the books, there is a good chance that branch will break from underneath him…and it’s a skinny branch. What would be the defense of letting illegal criminal aliens roam freely? What is the defense not to uphold the LAWS of the U.S.? There isn’t any, they make it sound compassionate but if they were really compassionate they would secure the southern border, and not let those people who are the most vulnerable get victimized by the very Criminal Illegal Aliens like for example coyotes Drug Gang Cartels who are said to be in 230 American Cities now. Geraldo’s argument never holds up to scrutiny but he thinks it sounds sympathetic. Tell that too people who have been abused coming across our southern border illegally. You would think he would care but he likes to tote out the liberal narrative, more than he cares about human beings.
Dr Evil on May 19, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Fact is immigration is a self-inflicted wound by the GOP, specially by the Bush- moderate camp. They are the ones who thought Latinos would be their permanent ticket for power, replacing social conservatives whom the RINOs hate.
Trade unions, working class people and African-Americans hate illegal immigration, for they are the ones who feel the most immediate effects. A large part of Obama’s electorate wants tougher enforcement, so this is not as paradoxical as it seems. the fact that the Dems don’t need Latino vote is also a plus point.
promachus on May 19, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Two words …… Expiration Date.
fogw on May 19, 2009 at 10:34 AM
the devil must be in the details somewhere…just like “save or create”
youngO on May 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Here’s the catch: Illegal aliens who have committed crimes will be held for deportation after serving their sentences, then Obama will give them a pardon and citizenship in late October 2012, and they will gratefully re-elect Obama.
Steve Z on May 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Lesson learned: Beware Obarfies bearing gifts
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Mr. Obama should go after Acorn.
steviedfromnc on May 19, 2009 at 10:36 AM
You put your right hand out, you put your left hand out and you You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out;
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!
You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out;
You put your left hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!shake it all about you do the hokey pokey…that’s whats it’s all about
Translation: Let’s make it look like we are tough on enforcement so we can get that amnesty bill going again.
Bulldogger on May 19, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Exactly what I thought. Quid Pro Qou somewhere.
We can only hope (nchange).
davidk on May 19, 2009 at 10:39 AM
It’s one thing to increase the reach of government. It is another entirely to actually do something about what is turned up by said extension, and a third thing to do the right thing (deport the illegals in such a way that they don’t just hop across the border the following week).
steveegg on May 19, 2009 at 10:39 AM
What good does it do to “remove” the illegal, illegal aliens, if the boder is not secure? I know that it is reduntant, reduntant.
Johan Klaus on May 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I see no lathering. Where is this lathering that you speak of?
Cynicism? Doubt? Disbelief? Sure…….
vapig on May 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Border.
Johan Klaus on May 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM
What’s The One’s game here?
to keep states like NC and NM that turned blue in 2008 blue. If Obama does not handle the ballonning gang activity from gangs like MS13 in Durham, Raliegh and Charlotte he will lose NC in 2012. i would imgine it is the same in other southern states
unseen on May 19, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Moat!
vapig on May 19, 2009 at 10:41 AM
That was funny…lol
bluelightbrigade on May 19, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I think Obama watched the new Star Trek movie last week and got really worried about time-traveling Romulans. That would explain the crackdown on criminal illegal aliens.
jon1979 on May 19, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Yeah, right.
What are you going to do, vote Republican?
hillbillyjim on May 19, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Let me know when he’s actually launched the program, when it’s adequately paid for, and when illegals are actually deported and verifiably gone. Then I’ll be happy about it.
TheQuestion on May 19, 2009 at 10:44 AM
If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with b.s.
I also believe it’s union payback plus trying to insure his re-election.
kingsjester on May 19, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The criminals will spend a week or two in Mexico after they are released, say “hola” to friends and family, and then it’s back to the US where crime pays better. The authorities won’t know that they are here so it’s a good deal for the Mexican criminal. They keep some sort of tabs on citizen criminals after they are released from jail.
Many of them have dual citizenship, so they have a “safe house” to lay low at when the dogs are on their trail.
I wouldn’t say crime is a good career option for anyone, but it is a much better career option for the Latino than it is for other people.
The three year old child who was kidnapped in Los Angeles a week or two ago was kidnapped by illegal aliens who have been deported several times. It’s a joke, and the politicians never need to fear being asked the question “what are you going to do to stop the re-entry of deported criminals?”.
Buddahpundit on May 19, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I believe this is more logical than the Union Payback idea people mentioned before.
This buys GOP votes for Amnesty for immigrants who have not been arrested for any other crime besides their current status.
Makes sense as a good political move and a good policy move.
ckoeber on May 19, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I’m sure it has nothing to do with the newly-established “Hope ‘n’ Change Coyote Service”….
Master Shake on May 19, 2009 at 10:48 AM
This has been focus group polled or he wouldn’t be doing it. It’s is supported by a majority of Americans.
thomasaur on May 19, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Wait, I’m confused….
When the current head of DHS was my governor, she was steadfastly against any and all attempts to enforce immigration laws re: illegal immigration.
Who the frack is this person? This is not the Janet Napolitano I know!
… which, I guess, is why once again I sniff a mouse.
psrch on May 19, 2009 at 10:49 AM
There won’t be any enforcement. The law will be on the books, but the alien checks will get lost in the mail, the justice department and ICE will not end up doing anything about those illegals identified. The Precedent and his gang of anti-American morons will just ignore the law, as they have proven themselves expert at doing. They will advertise the law and then make pretend it doesn’t exist – along with counting on the federal judiciary and SCOTUS to kill most of it.
This junta is totally untrustworthy – except for the fact that they can be trusted to do anything that hurts America. They will say anything, and even enact any legislation, just to sound good, but then act like the criminals they are and continue on with their selective enforcement – because that is their nature.
progressoverpeace on May 19, 2009 at 10:50 AM
+1
Obama the gamer gives an inch in order to take it all.
It isn’t that “no good deed goes unpunished” so much as no good deed is done for “good” reason by Fascists, but for more power, as that is the only “good” they recognize. So beware the fine print, the loopholes, and what is hidden between the lines for what shows up down the road. Think through every angle that could go wrong or that could be used to cover ulterior motive.
I would hope that in terms of economizing, even Fascists would realize that no one country can support the entire world, particularly when our national economy is entering bankruptcy directly behind California’s insolvency. But that would be the con. Again, any “rational” credit ALWAYS is usurped by Socialists to further erode the Constitution and our Constitutional Government. That’s what playing the world’s sugar daddy has done to us already, self righteously twisting the American good will towards humanity against the American citizen and the ultimate authority of the US Constitution in the USA.
So while this latest announcement is making the rounds, Obama just told Israel they are on their own, meaning that WE are now on our own over there, and Iran is granted the year’s time required to complete their nuclear weapons program already allied with Russia (and China) before Obama asks for their agreement to just get along.
maverick muse on May 19, 2009 at 10:50 AM
The devil is always in the details. To be continued…
hillbillyjim on May 19, 2009 at 10:50 AM
pure B.S. just like he is aginast gay marriage, yet his advisor is out there cracking jokes on mis California. there’s a word for it:
FRAUD.
Ghoul aid on May 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Obama has proposed increased funding for doing the right thing and then tossed it over to Congress where it will fade away.
Not quite doing the right thing, but surely saying the right thing.
myrenovations on May 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Il Douche knows this and is counting on it. He wants to “redistribute” America’s wealth to the third world, until there is nothing left to this nation but a burned-out husk. That is his goal, to exact revenge.
progressoverpeace on May 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
How does this jive with his plan offered during the campaign?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Yes.
maverick muse on May 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM
It is a gift to the union people (especially in the trades) and will follow the push for amnesty, to be timed that millions of illegals will be turned into voters before November, 2010.
Still, take the gift horse; it didn’t need to be offered at all.
michaelo on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
He’s not going to do anything; it’s more lip service. Oboingo’s pretty much f’d up or reneged on everything he’s said he was going to do. This is just his way of being able to wag his finger and say “as I’ve said all along…” sometime down the track when he needs a statement one way or the other to use for political cover.
mr.blacksheep on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
This will send a chill through the undocumented-heroes community… how many of these better-than-we-are demi-gods will die because they will refuse to seek medical attention in fear of the Gestapo?
mankai on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Change.
maverick muse on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
It’s a Trojan Horse.
progressoverpeace on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Wait for this thread to get into the triple-digits.
YYZ on May 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Power grab.
kirkill on May 19, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I don’t know what you mean. Of course he did the WRONG thing. This is pure hate. Obama hates Mexicans! Let’s throw a rally and show Obama that America will welcome illegal aliens into this country with open arms! Today, I’m starting to find America to be a very mean country.
///sarc
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 10:57 AM
That way when he moves for amnesty he can say that he took a “moderate” approach, removing dangerous and criminal elements and keeping the ones that want to work and raise families.
LevStrauss on May 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM
You could call it “finding common ground between right and wrong.”
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I don’t think there is a catch. I think he’s looking at the budget numbers and realizing that it doesn’t work. I think he’s looking at his new health care proposal and realizing that the illegals are increasing the COST of health care.
I think Obama is going to be a good president as soon as he stops being concerned with D vs. R and focuses on what’s best for the country.
ThackerAgency on May 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Anybody think McCain would have done this? I don’t.
ThackerAgency on May 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
My first thought is that it’ll be selective enforcement. He’ll allow families to stay if they can prove their commitment to the U.S. by donating to a major political party. ICE will just happen to have a donation form for one of them…
Or, he’ll announce his intent, but never do anything about it, and say “hey, I tried”.
hawksruleva on May 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Let’s put it this way, it probably wouldn’t have been on the top of his list…
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Er … right. Having a working budget is not a priority for this gang. Have you not been following the legislation they’ve passed already?
I don’t see how this impacts on the costs of illegals with health care. They are only addressing those in jail, who get health care at our expense, no matter what, and this doesn’t lay a finger on any other illegals.
Okay, there. Have you been watching this administration?
progressoverpeace on May 19, 2009 at 11:08 AM
For conservatives and linguists, yes. For liberals, not at all.
hawksruleva on May 19, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Praise God for giving Obama whatever reason is motivating this deciscion of his to protect the citizens. We should pray that his reasons is for genuine concern rather than political gain.
Our hope should be in a sovereign God.
shick on May 19, 2009 at 11:08 AM
What’s the point. We deport. They return in two weeks. It’s a joke.
fleiter on May 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
“Amnesty International and immigrant advocates warn that the change could lead to … the “criminalization” of illegal immigration.”
If only these morons knew how ridiculous they sound.
KS Rex on May 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Hers the catch.
It will catch those who overstayed their Visas, or those who have been caught and deported before.
But it will NOT catch anyone who is not in the DHS illegal database. Thus, anyone who crossed the border will NOT be caught, as their fingerprints won’t be in the system.
However, this is the ONLY check they will do… they will use this non check as a reason not to bother with deeper checks… like document checks.
Romeo13 on May 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
You’ll be sure to let us know when that happens, won’t you?
hillbillyjim on May 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
What is it that the MSM calls people who want to deport illegal aliens? I can’t wait ’til they call Obama a racist xenophobe wannabe Nazi. Or is he, for some reason that’s not to be given, not to be called those names?
hawksruleva on May 19, 2009 at 11:11 AM
You didn’t put him in power. Filthy liberals will never vote republican, so he just needs to please the middle. Considering a huge majority of the country wants immigration laws enforced he has nothing to lose here.
Darth Executor on May 19, 2009 at 11:13 AM
It would be more money for the gangs who smuggle them into the country, though. Wonder if there’s a quid pro quo?
Of course, in the current economy, some may end up staying in their home country. At any rate, deporting people in our prisons is a good thing. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day ;-) Thanks Barack!
hawksruleva on May 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I wonder if Geraldo will extend his spit-inducing outrage to the One?
hillbillyjim on May 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I wonder what the left will be more upset by. This or Nancy Pelosi Tolerating Torture.
Nancy, I see that bus coming for you…
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 11:16 AM
The catch is pretty simple: I am deporting the bad ones, so you will trust me when I say we need amnesty for law abiding illegals.
Ropera on May 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM
It’s a misunderstanding.
0bama said “abort them,” not “deport them.”
CDeb on May 19, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Interesting. Now the MSM will have to pretend that they think cracking down on illegals is a great idea, and that they’ve always thought so.
Or will they go the route of acting like Obama is the first politician to present this unique, novel, and brilliant concept of enforcing our nation’s laws and protecting our borders?
aero on May 19, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I’m just not buying it. This is a one world open borders guy. It’ll be all talk, it’ll die in congress, it’ll be challenged in court by the special interest groups, but it’ll be touted by the MSM. Most of the public will probably think he’s done something and they’ll vote accordingly.
vapig on May 19, 2009 at 11:27 AM
His plan is to clog the courts with these deportation orders, then there will be a demand for more courts, more people to staff teh courts, etc, resulting in even bigger government.
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on May 19, 2009 at 11:29 AM
All illegal aliens need to be gne. They are a huge contributor to the Federal, State and local expenses.
Living in the USA is a privilage, and our immigration laws must be followed in order to be a welcome resident.
saiga on May 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
“What’s the catch here?”
To temporarily drive illegals further underground. Sometime in the 90’s we changed federal immigration law to declare that if you are caught at all in this country illegally then you would have to wait at least 10 years to apply for citizenship. Then we merrily went about our business of creating sanctuary cities with no intention of looking for illegals. To the point of not even reporting their criminal activity to the feds as is well documented. This gives cover to the ones that have not broken any laws other that being here illegally but the 10 year rule is still here. Removing that law will begin the amnesty push for real.
DanMan on May 19, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I can’t accept this move as being supportable in all seriousness because it’s from Barack Obama — so there has to be a cryptic political “change” plan involved that isn’t now being revealed on the surface.
I SUSPECT it’s to be used as fodder in 2010 and 2012 for Obama’s, hopefully, failed re-election: the Demos sense their failing party in the upcoming 2010 Senate races and they’re trying to scramble with ideas and so-called plans that’ll be useful for keeping more of their voters in the DNC line (so they’re trying to conjure up something that will appeal to the patriotic crowd in their midst).
I do sense this to be a ploy, however useful a ploy it might be if it works successfully.
What’ll happen, then, is that next year and especially in 2012, Obama & crooked handlers (Axelrod, Emanuel) can then crow that they removed all the criminal illegal aliens so everyone else gets amnesty (and thus, continue to appeal to the Hispanic-vote, so it’s called).
That, undoubtedly, is the idea behind this plan: try to continue to hand-hold the “Hispanic vote” despite both that block and Obama/et al. proving themselves to be insincerely aligned (the so-called “Catholics” who by “majority” who supported Obama in the last election and now almost certainly is buoyed up by cultural Catholics amidst Hispanics who want amnesty and disregard Catholic theology at the voting booth but claim to be Catholics nonetheless) (and, Obama has proven himself disloyal to Christian theology, so, any among his supporters who tries to continue to present as “conservative” is proven to be insincere in that regard).
I do believe this is a ploy. Obama doesn’t do things for “America,” he does things for Barack Obama.
Lourdes on May 19, 2009 at 11:38 AM
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