In the face of looming budget cuts, U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement decided to release hundreds of undocumented immigrants that were being detained in facilities across the nation. Their spokeswoman, Gillian Christensen, commented that the ICE released those who were not serious criminal offenders or a significant threat to public safety in order to stay within their current budget. One of the detainees, M.H., at first thought that the release was a huge mistake or even a joke. He had been pulled over for a traffic violation, but when authorities realized he was undocumented, they sent him to a detention center. The 19 year-old was set free this week along with all the other detainees.
While the White House and Homeland Security Department headquarters were unaware of the ICE's decision, many GOP members have spoken out against the release of the detainees. House Speaker, John Boehner, remarked that it was difficult for him to believe that the department couldn't have made cuts anywhere else, and instead let criminals go free. ICE officials defend their actions by saying that the immigrants are still in deportation proceedings and were given a court date. Despite these claims, M.H. says that he still has not received his, adding that others who were released were repeat offenders.
The person responsible for the decision was planning to retire in April, yet did so early after news of this action came out. He had spent 40 years serving the federal government, and 6 years in the ICE. If you are in danger of being deported, then you need to get help from Houston Immigration Attorney, Tony Parada, who has successfully defended hundreds of clients from losing their home in the U.S. For more information about how you can receive individualized attention from an experienced immigration lawyer, call our office. Immigration laws are often complex and controversial, so let our legal team guide you through the process.