New Focus on Criminals in American Immigration Policy
US officials began Thursday reviewing a backlog of 300,000 immigration cases under new guidelines focusing most enforcement efforts on undocumented immigrants with criminal records. The policy change was ushered in last August at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which announced an emphasis on rooting out criminals residing in the United States without proper documentation, and focusing less on undocumented residents who do not pose a danger or security risk.
"Beginning today, ICE attorneys will review all incoming and certain pending cases to ensure they conform with ICE's civil immigration enforcement priorities," spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez told AFP. Immigrants rights groups have been pressing President Barack Obama to relax US immigration policy, arguing that the rule in place until now have unfairly targeted law-abiding, hardworking newcomers merely pursuing the American dream -- even if they are in the country unlawfully. Gonzalez said the new policy will allow federal immigration authorities to "address the challenge of an overcrowded immigration court system, and make better use of existing resources."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/us-22424932...
"Beginning today, ICE attorneys will review all incoming and certain pending cases to ensure they conform with ICE's civil immigration enforcement priorities," spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez told AFP. Immigrants rights groups have been pressing President Barack Obama to relax US immigration policy, arguing that the rule in place until now have unfairly targeted law-abiding, hardworking newcomers merely pursuing the American dream -- even if they are in the country unlawfully. Gonzalez said the new policy will allow federal immigration authorities to "address the challenge of an overcrowded immigration court system, and make better use of existing resources."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/us-22424932...
