Going into November’s elections, House and Senate Democrats are outbidding the White House on spending for immigration enforcement, with a special emphasis on deporting people convicted of major drug offenses and violent crimes.I still don't think this is going to sway border security advocates.
Immigration remains a highly divisive political issue — especially in the House Democratic Caucus. But targeting convicted criminals is seen as safe ground for the party and a pressure point to highlight shortcomings in the current enforcement system.
A Homeland Security budget bill now moving through the House Appropriations Committee specifies that at least $800 million be spent after Oct. 1 to identify and remove the most violent and dangerous criminals from the U.S. And Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) is expected to take an even more aggressive approach Wednesday in his own plan, adding more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations within Homeland Security.
To a certain extent this is an an attempt to look tough on immigration, when in fact it is more of an escape hatch to say "look we did something on immigration." The something is deporting criminals, which is actually teh law now. Why do we need to spend $800 million more on enforcing a law that is already on teh books.
Wouldn't it be better to stop illegals BEFORE they come to this country and committ violent or drug related crimes? Just a thought.
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