Deportation of illegal immigrants increases under Obama administration

[n2doc]

By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 26, 2010

In a bid to remake the enforcement of federal immigration laws, the Obama administration is deporting record numbers of illegal immigrants and auditing hundreds of businesses that blithely hire undocumented workers.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency expects to deport about 400,000 people this fiscal year, nearly 10 percent above the Bush administration's 2008 total and 25 percent more than were deported in 2007. The pace of company audits has roughly quadrupled since President George W. Bush's final year in office.

The effort is part of President Obama's larger project "to make our national laws actually work," as he put it in a speech this month at American University. Partly designed to entice Republicans to support comprehensive immigration reform, the mission is proving difficult and politically perilous.

Obama is drawing flak from those who contend the administration is weak on border security and from those who are disappointed he has not done more to fulfill his campaign promise to help the country's estimated 11 million illegal residents. Trying to thread a needle, the president contends enforcement -- including the deployment of fresh troops to the Mexico border -- is a necessary but insufficient solution

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072501790.html

[tabasco]

1. Good. I hope they don't come back unless they do so legally.

[Andy823]

2. This is a good thing.

Before it was only the illegals that were targeted, and then not very many. Even when they were sent back to their home country, the majority were back working at the same place within a week. Now it's not only the illegals, but the employers that are being targeted, and that's the way it should be. If employers would not hire illegals the problem would be solved. True we need reform in the immigration policy, and we need to get those who have come here, have obeyed the laws, and really want to work, the chance to do so. We need to get those who are not criminals legal status, after background checks are made on them. Criminals need to be deported, those who really want to work should pay a fine, any back taxes, and pay to get legal status. Once that is done, and there is a tamper proof ID that can be checked through E-verify systems, then any employer that hires someone without the proper legal status should be fined a huge sum for every illegal they hire and given jail time if the practice continues. Put the pressure on corporate america and force them them to OBEY the laws.

Reagan's whole amnesty thing back in 1984 was designed for one thing, to allow corporations to hire illegals and force wages down, and it has worked. No benefits, no rules, and no high wages, the right wings promised land!

[alp227]

8. +infinity. took the words right outta my mouth.

BTW, wasn't Reaganmesty from '86, not '84? Because if he did that in '84 he'd lose votes.

This story I've seen before on other outlets (not sure which, will Google.) Right-wingers complaining about how Obama is soft on crime/border security have even less strength in their arguments now.

[pampango]

3. Shhh! Obama's not doing anything about illegal immigration. Secure the borders, baby!!! n/t

[pinboy3niner]

4. LOL!

I hope this means the Administration has finally recognized the need to be much more aggressive in disseminating information about all the things the feds ARE doing on immigration issues.

[lunamagica]

5. And to think of the enormous support he received from the Hispanic

community over his promise of immigration reform with a path to citizenship during his first year in office.

The reality is that he not only fails to deliver on his promise, but does just the opposite...

Considering that a recent poll by Univision placed immigration as the #1 concern for Hispanics, he can kiss their support good-bye. Fool me once and all that.

Pity that so many Dems fail to see the incredible advantage they can get with millions of new dems voting. The Latino vote was crucial to victory in '09.

Funny how Republicans clearly see this and that's the reason why they so rabidly oppose immigration reform.

[kelly1mm]

6. Sorry, I think we can do without the 136k+ (2009) criminals. nt

[jah the baptist]

7. yeah he is going to lose the vote of non citizens

you apparently know nothing of the mexican american community

[HipChick]

9. Don't you have to be a citizen to vote in the first place?

:rofl:

I'm sure the republicans will help so much more..