Study: High Arrest Rate Of Illegal Aliens

(AP)  Illegal immigrants who were caught but released in the United States may have been re-arrested as many as six times, Justice Department data released Monday indicates.

The findings by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine are based on a sampling of 100 illegal immigrants arrested by local and state authorities in 2004, the latest complete data available. They show that 73 of the 100 immigrants were arrested, collectively, 429 times — ranging from traffic tickets to weapons and drug charges.

Fine's office said its audit could not conclude precisely how many of the 262,105 illegal immigrants charged with criminal histories that year had been re-arrested. "But if this data is indicative of the full population of 262,105 criminal histories, the rate at which released criminal aliens are re-arrested is extremely high," the audit noted.

The audit was required by Congress in 2005, and parts of it were redacted because of security reasons. It looked at how local and state authorities that receive Justice Department funding to help catch and detain illegal immigrants are working with the Homeland Security Department.

It also examined the arrest rates of immigrants who were released — usually because of insufficient jail space — before they could be turned over to Homeland Security's bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In all, 752 cities, counties and states participating in the program received $287 million in 2005, the audit noted. Five states — California, New York, Texas, Florida and Arizona — received the bulk of the money, together pulling in more than $184 million.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff four months ago declared an end to the "catch and release" practice that for years helped many illegal immigrants stay in the United States unhindered.

At the time, the department was holding 99 percent of non-Mexican illegal immigrants in its custody until they could be returned to their home nations. The policy generally does not apply to Mexicans, who are almost immediately returned to Mexico after being stopped by Border Patrol agents.

The audit also looked at whether local and state authorities fully cooperated with Homeland Security efforts to remove illegal immigrants, and tried to determine how many had been released because of jail space or funding shortages. In both cases, Fine's office said it was unable to draw definitive conclusions.

It also found that at least one area — San Francisco — was receiving funding even though local policy specifically limits the information it gives to Homeland Security about immigration enforcement. San Francisco, which won $1.1 million, defines itself as a "city and county of refuge" and does not allow federal agents to view immigration jail records without permission from local police.

Assistant Attorney General Regina B. Schofield, who oversees the Office of Justice Programs, declined comment on the audit, noting it does not contain any recommendations.

[ricoro-2009]

We should stop all, and I mean ALL Federal Money that goes to that Liberal nutcase city people call San Francisco (Nancy Pelosi) you know our new speaker of the house. This country is in deep dodo

[lestb35]

They come here and get free everything. Who wouldn't come. If I could go to Canada and get treated like the Mexican illegals in this country, I'd never come home. The Canadians could support me the rest of my life and I'd be living in the most beautiful country on earth.

[capthook55]

The first thing that must be done is stop worrying about hurting the feelings of people. Stop using "political correct" terms like 'undocumented workers'. They are ILLEGAL which by definition means CRIMINAL. They have shown a wanton disregard for our laws simply by being here.
Next we need to insure that there are no incentives to come here. They should have no access to public services (welfare, WIC, ect)except EMERGENCY medical care. The use of "anchor babies" to allow the mothers and eventually the whole family to remain in the country must be stopped. The baby (in the case of Mexico and other countries) is recognized as a citizen of the mothers country, as we recognize children born to U.S. citizens born outside our borders. As must the practice of permitting people enter illegally and then buy a business remain.(They can buy a taxi cab for a few thousand dollars and then remain indefinitely).
Of course none of these things will happen as long as our %u2018leaders%u2019 in Washington continue to pander to all the special interest groups that keep paying for them to be reelected. We need to send them a message by mail, FAX and phone that if these problems are not addressed AND corrected by next election that we will not vote Democratic or Republican but Libertarian or some other party thus putting them out of work. (This would only be justice as ILLEGAL ALIENS have kept many Americans from finding and keeping good paying jobs in construction, restaurant and other fields.

[docpeter-2009]

"These people aren't even bound by the same laws that we are, they have more rights than we do. They don't even arrest them for minor crimes like drug posession or drunk driving etc etc, they catch and release them while americans pay outrageous fines, lose their license, and sit in jail for such things. It's illegal to arrest an illegal, it's freak ridiculous..."

Unfortunately you8 are correct in this. I have a friend involved in an auto accident (12/31/2006) with a Mexican National. The guy had no valid driver's license, no proof of insurance, no documentation he was here legally. No ticket issude and the Mexican National was let released.

In our town if you can't prove you have insurance your car gets imounded, well if you are a legal resident that is, but the laws, evidently, don't apply iuf you are an illegal.

[saxonmor]

Every comment posted here, says the same thing: the problem is being exacerbated by the rich (business owners, WalMart and the like) and our politicians are doing little or nothing (because they are owned by the wealthy.) BUT...we can still vote their slimy do-nothing ***** out of office. SO...if you've taken the time to write here, now go online to 'http://www.house.gov/' and/or 'http://www.senate.gov/' and/or your state and local representatives websites, write them and tell them plainly and simply: if you pander to the Hispanic lobby and allow this to continue, YOU will be the next unemployed American!

[bhappy2-2]

When are the idiots in Washington going to wake up? Like I wrote the other night;
1st time caught = 18- 20 years hard labor. If they don't work, they don't eat. NO free medical care, in or out of prison.
2nd time caught= LIFE, same conditions. NO WORK, NO FOOD. Still no free medical care.
Do I care if this upsets some ID10T? He@# NO!!!
If they don't like it, TOO BAD!!!
They are criminals you know, that's why they are called ILLEGAL ALIENS.

[peaceforusa]

"discust with the illigal alien"?????

Well before anyone yells about my spelling, I must tell you that it was disgust, and illega.Must have been sleeping while I was typing that. ;-)

[peaceforusa]

We all need to go to the White House and profess our discust with the illigal alien situation. I wonder how the White House lawn would look with a few million US citizens and LEGAL immigrants on it???

Since I am sure they would not allow us to do that you can go to www.grassfire.org and let your voices be heard through petition signing, letter writing, and phone calls. It costs nothing unless you want to donate and these people are trying to solve the problem. With our help we can get it done.

[klmetz_cbs]

1. Fine for first catch at the border.
2. Double fine for second.
3. Double again for third.
etc.
10. Tenth - mandatory prison time.

If they can't pay fine - trade oil from Mexico for oil.

Suggested prisons:
1. GitMo
2. Contract with Iraq to hold them.
3. China still needs mine workers.

Until we get tough, the problem will not be lessened.

Last (or first) choice: Turn Califorina over to Mexico. That will save a lot of tax dollars.

[olebd]

Maybe we should all move to Mexico and start fresh. It's cheaper and soon there won't be any natives left.