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761 New Arrests in Operation Return to Sender

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 03:57:59 PM EST
Tags: immigrants (all tags)
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched its biggest series of arrests of undocumented residents this week in Los Angeles as part of Operation Return to Sender. 761 people were arrested, most of them at home or in local jails.

The government says most of them were under deportation orders or had previously been deported.

What about the rest of them? How many had merely overstayed a visa or had no prior contact with law enforcement?

Those that were arrested in jail will have to finish serving their sentences before being turned over for deporation. Guess who pays for their incarceration? You, the taxpayer. Why not just deport them now?

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    761 New Arrests in Operation Return to Sender | 39 comments (39 topical)

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    Why not just deport [the jailed illegals] now? (none / 0) (#1)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:37:02 PM EST
    The raids netted 338 illegal immigrants who were arrested at their homes and apartments and 423 who were identified in area jails [...]
    Of the 761 people arrested, more than 450 have already been deported, Kice said.

    iow, 450(+) - 338 = 112(+) jailed illegals have been deported.

    My WAG is that the jailed illegals from overseas are probably being deported more than the south of the border jailed illegal.

    Probably the decision to keep in jail or deport has something to do with the severity of their crimes as well...

    And the above analysis (none / 0) (#4)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:45:33 PM EST
    assumes that allof the not-in-jail arrested illegals have been deported.

    If that assumption is false, and it may very well be, then a higher number of the jailed illegals have been deported.

    Parent

    Huh, my WAG was pretty good. (Pat on own back) (none / 0) (#37)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 04:44:51 PM EST
    From the ICE website:
    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is achieving these goals through expanded fugitive operations and criminal alien programs, and an expedited removal process enabling ICE to quickly remove "other than Mexican" (OTM) illegal aliens to their home countries.


    Parent
    And this as well... (none / 0) (#2)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:38:36 PM EST
    Immigration officials have also identified 3,000 inmates in state and local jails who will be deported.
    Re: 761 New Arrests in Operation RTS (none / 0) (#3)
    by fafnir on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:43:07 PM EST
    Relax, the rest will be deported when they complete their sentences. The stepped-up interior enforcement effort (it's about time) to capture illegals warms the cockles of my heart. I feel that my tax dollars are being put to prudent, effective use.

    I'd like to see more activity from ICE on busting businesses and employers who hire and/or harbor illegals. This latter component of interior enforcement will help turn off the jobs magnet and compel illegals to self-deport over time.

    (BTW, I live near Quantico Marine base, where several illegals with fraudulent identities hired by a building contractor were arrested last week while working on the base! Many of them were being harbored by a contractor operating out of an apartment complex near my community.)

    Ms TL: (none / 0) (#5)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:55:33 PM EST
    You are not a taxpayer?  It is nice to be given a shout out to anyway.  Thanks!

    Why not just deport them now? (none / 0) (#6)
    by roy on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:58:16 PM EST
    I can see deporting them without serving their sentences as a good money-saver if they're in jail for minor crimes, but it would send a bad message as a blanket policy: come to America illegally, commit whatever crimes you want once you get here, and the worst we'll do to you is send you home.

    If somebody commits a major crime, a stronger response than deportation is necessary in order to discourage others from doing the same.

    Not that TL is necessarily advocating the above -- I'm just contemplating an extreme.

    By all means.... (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 05:11:58 PM EST
    it is better to deport those who are rotting in jail for minor crimes...better for the taxpayer and better for the incarcerated.  Serious violent crime is a different story, those folks should serve their sentences.

    I.C.E. plucking people off the street...that I can't support.  Too creepy and inhumane for my taste.  Plus, I can only imagine how many people will get deported in error.  

    Interesting point, Kdog. (none / 0) (#8)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 05:26:11 PM EST
    Are you aware of many folks deported in error?

    Parent
    Here's one poor slob... (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:25:33 PM EST
    at least he got home.

    Parent
    That really sucks. (none / 0) (#14)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:32:10 PM EST
    Even just one deported in error is too many, of course, but considering ICE did deport over 186,000 in 2006 they seem to make fewer errors than most gvt agencies...

    Parent
    After doing a little research.... (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 07:24:51 PM EST
    I can't find too many deported in error, but too many are being deported unjustly, imo.

    Interesting article on deportation hearings, where there is no right to counsel.

    Parent

    And... (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:28:47 PM EST
    remember this kid?

    Parent
    kdog (none / 0) (#15)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:36:06 PM EST
    Come on kdog. The claim is that the mother didn't tell the son. Maybe so, but let's put the blame on her, not the system.

    Parent
    An interesting op-ed.... (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:50:08 PM EST
    on documented immigration official abuses involving deportation.

    Parent
    Duh.... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:50:36 PM EST
    the link

    Parent
    Illegals (none / 0) (#9)
    by jarober on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:03:53 PM EST
    It's so, so hard for TL to say "illegal alien".

    Instead, we get the euphemism "undocumented".

    Euphemisms are typically used by people who know that their base position has problems, and they desperately want to shift the conversation.

    USA (none / 0) (#10)
    by squeaky on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:09:59 PM EST
    It's so, so hard for TL to say "illegal alien".

    Instead, we get the euphemism "undocumented".

    Your favored term is the wingnut spin and not the other way around.

    In this country innocence is presumed. Maybe you should move to Saudi Arabia et al, where guilt is assumed first.

    This Squeaky wheel... (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:20:39 PM EST
    ...doesn't need any grease.  Excellent and concise retort.  Keep making that noise.

    Parent
    Squeaky. (none / 0) (#16)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:38:48 PM EST
    As an old man I can tell you that the term illegal alien goes back years and years before "moonbat" and "wingnut" was a twinkle in the Internet's daddy's eyes...

    And it is a very exact expression. They are here illegally and they are an alien.

    Parent

    Non-sequitur? (none / 0) (#20)
    by squeaky on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:58:25 PM EST
    As an old man I can tell you that the term illegal alien goes back years and years before "moonbat" and "wingnut" was a twinkle in the Internet's daddy's eyes...

    Yes people have called others criminals based on the way they look for a long time, in fact you have advocated lynching or shooting people on sight based on misinformation , or plain meaness, all without any due process.

    As an old man you have missed the point. Try some yoga it may improve your brain circulation...I would even gamble that it is not too late.

    Parent

    Squeaky (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 09:32:03 PM EST
    You can run but you can't hide behind a false claim.

    The term "illegal alien" is not racist.

    Everyone, including you know that to be true.

    As for your other claims, hogwash.

    Parent

    Racist? (none / 0) (#24)
    by squeaky on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 10:52:18 PM EST


    Parent
    squeaky. Yes that was your claim (none / 0) (#25)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 10:04:16 AM EST
    Yes people have called others criminals based on the way they look for a long time,

    That's a claim of racism.

    Parent

    no its not (none / 0) (#27)
    by soccerdad on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 10:50:37 AM EST


    Parent
    eg a white (none / 0) (#28)
    by soccerdad on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 10:52:16 AM EST
    homeless person could be considered to be a criminal based on the way they look

    nice try no go

    Parent

    Not racism (none / 0) (#29)
    by squeaky on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 11:00:27 AM EST
    Racism? I thought that you have argued that moslems are not a race?

    People like you even discriminate against hindus, because 'they moslems all look the same'.

    And Mexicans, are a race too in your mind as well, right? or are just poor mexicans a race?

    Now who was that great race specialist that clsssified the criminal race based on phrenonolgy?

    People like you invented the notion of race just so that you could have someone to feel superior to.

    I am sure that you consider yourself as part of the Master Race.

    Parent

    And yet "undocumented" isn't accurate (none / 0) (#17)
    by roy on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 06:39:53 PM EST
    Simply being undocumented isn't cause for deportation: some US citizens are undocumented.  I think the expression is "living off the grid".

    And some illegal aliens are documented, but their documented status doesn't entitle them to stay here.  Somebody who overstays a visa can fall into this category.

    So "illegal alien" may have a negative connotation, both in presumption of guilt and just plain meanness, but at least it gets to the point: people are allegedly in violation of the law.  That's why we're discussing them.

    Parent

    How about..... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 07:33:13 PM EST
    "human entity whose legal status to reside within the borders of the United States has yet to be determined by a court of law"?  Wordy...but accurate.

    It's not fair to label someone an alien right off the bat when who can say for sure where the person was born besides his mother?

    As you said, there are American citizens by right of birth without documents to prove it.

    And isn't the burden of proof on the govt. as to  where someone they want to deport was born?


    Parent

    kdog (none / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 10:05:18 AM EST
    How about:

    "Illegal alien."

    You know. An alien who is illegally in the country.

    Parent

    And..... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 02:57:06 PM EST
    you know this how....by the look on their face?

    You missed the point....say I.C.E. picks a guy up off the street with no documents.  Why are we assuming the guy is an illegal alien? Brown skin?  Plenty of citizens and legal aliens with brown skin.  Speaking spanish?  Plenty of citizens and legal aliens speak spanish.

    Again...the govt. must prove the guy is an illegal alien in a courtroom.  Until then, you are presuming guilt, and that is something we don't do in these parts.

    Parent

    Kdog (none / 0) (#32)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 03:20:52 PM EST
    Does ICE pick up (random) people off the streets and challenge them to prove their legal status?

    Parent
    I wouldn't think so.... (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 03:38:11 PM EST
    at least randomly.  But if they got an anonymous tip about an alleged illegal alien, I'd bet they'd pick 'em up.  And if the guy didn't have documents in his possesion...he'd be in a cage, in other words assumed to be illegal.

    Parent
    Kdog (none / 0) (#34)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 03:53:31 PM EST
    Honestly, you've jumped the shark on this one. You're just making stuff up.

    Take a look at their website. Call "them" with "an anonymous tip about an alleged illegal alien" and I'd bet they'd laugh out loud.

    Parent

    Ya got me.... (none / 0) (#35)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 04:05:04 PM EST
    I have no clue how ICE goes about picking people up...bad example.

    I still wonder how it is assumed a person is an illegal alien before they get their day in court.

    Parent

    I think (none / 0) (#36)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 04:23:29 PM EST
    they're in court to see if the state can prove its case against the defendent.

    Sometimes they can, like in Ken Lay's case, and sometimes they can't, like in OJ's case.

    But IA(most certainly)NAL, so what the heck do I know.

    Parent

    That was my only point.... (none / 0) (#38)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 08:09:41 PM EST
    that I botched something awful.

    Nobody is an illegal alien until the judge bangs the gavel at their hearing.  People can be undocumented and still have a legal right to be here.  People can be picked up by ICE and still have a legal right to be here.

    And thanks for calling me on the bs...I can always count on you sarc!  

    Parent

    The "undocumented" (none / 0) (#39)
    by Pancho on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 11:27:05 PM EST
    are, by definition, here illegally. There is no "burden of proof".

    Parent
    I've always liked this song... (none / 0) (#30)
    by desertswine on Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 12:40:57 PM EST
    Words by woody guthrie
    Music by martin hoffman

    The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting
    The oranges piled up in their creosote dumps
    Youre flying em back to the mexican border
    To spend all their money to wade back again
    Goodbye to my juan, goodbye rosalita
    Adios mis amigos jesus y maria
    You wont have a name when you ride the big airplane
    All they will call you will be deportees

    Some of us are illegal, and others not wanted
    Our work contracts up and we have to move on
    600 miles to that mexican border
    They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers, like thieves
    Goodbye to my juan, goodbye rosalita
    Adios mis amigos jesus y maria
    You wont have a name when you ride the big airplane
    All they will call you will be deportees

    The skyplane caught fire over los gatos canyon
    A fireball of lightning, shook all our hills
    Who are all these friends who are scattered like dry leaves
    The radio said they were just deportees
    Goodbye to my juan, goodbye rosalita
    Adios mis amigos jesus y maria
    You wont have a name when you ride the big airplane
    All they will call you will be deportees

    761 New Arrests in Operation Return to Sender | 39 comments (39 topical)

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