FOX News Ten federal immigration agents have filed suit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano claiming recent directives are forcing them to break the law and ignore their duties when it comes to deporting illegal immigrants.
The suit was filed Thursday in Texas federal court by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. It challenges recent directives allowing some illegal immigrants — particularly non-felons and those who came to the U.S. as children — to stay and, in some cases, get work permits.
The suit, obtained by Fox News, says the agents are being forced to “violate federal law.” It says the new directive “unconstitutionally usurps and encroaches upon the legislative powers of Congress.” ICE Director John Morton is also named as a defendant.
Kris Kobach, lead attorney on the case, equated the move to give thousands of illegal immigrants a reprieve to the failed Fast and Furious gun-walking operation.
“In both instances, the Obama administration ordered federal law enforcement agents to break the law, to ignore the laws that they’re supposed to enforce, and, in the case of the ICE agents, to actually break federal laws that say you’re supposed to deport certain people,” he said. “And in each case, the Obama administration seems to be doing so for political reasons.”
Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, is also an adviser to Mitt Romney and a co-author of the Arizona illegal immigration law.
DHS spokesman Matt Chandler, reacting to the suit, stressed that the current policy allows the department to focus on serious offenders — he said ICE removed a record 216,000 criminal aliens in fiscal 2011.
“DHS uses prosecutorial discretion to assist in focusing vigorously on the removal of individuals who are convicted criminals, repeat immigration law violators, and recent border crossers,” he said. “This policy is a temporary measure; Congress must still act to provide a permanent solution to fix the broken immigration system.”
Napolitano defended the new rules during testimony last month before the House Judiciary Committee.
“These policies promote the efficient use of our resources ensuring that we do not divert them away from the removal of convicted criminals by pursuing the removal of young people who came to this country as children and who have called no other country home,” she said.
The Supreme Court has recognized the ability of the federal government to use what’s known as “prosecutorial discretion” in the enforcement of immigration law. In the recent case over the Arizona immigration law, the court defended the government’s ability to make “some discretionary decisions.”
In the suit, the agents are asking a federal judge to block the directives in question, saying they amount to an end-run around Congress and violate the separation of powers between the Legislative and Executive branches.
Republican lawmakers released a flurry of statements Thursday backing up the suit and challenging the administration policy.
“The Obama administration’s amnesty program not only rewards lawbreakers, it also forces ICE agents to violate federal law. ICE agents should enforce our immigration laws and apprehend illegal immigrants. But the Obama administration makes it impossible for ICE agents to do their jobs,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said in a statement.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., has also raised concern about the possibility of ICE agents being compelled to release illegal immigrants with misdemeanor records.
“It is a sad day when our nation’s law enforcement officers are left with no recourse but to file suit against the administration and its political appointees,” he said in a statement.
“young people who came to this country as children and who have called no other country home,” she said.”
She left out one minor detail.
“came to this country ILLEGALLY!”
LOL I know. Isn’t it funny how they always seem to leave that little small, but very important detail out?
I read, listen to the same complainers every day and none of them do anything to change the situation over illegal immigration and the financial consequences. The commentary in the E-media is full of griping people, but that’s all they do gripe? Nothing practical, nothing sustaining that has any cause and effect on the idiots your tax dollars pay for in Washington. Yelling over the Internet falls on deaf ears of incompetence and care less attitude of those in Congress. My suggestion is join the TEA PARTY and fight back against all the issues that are causing you anguish and outrage, before there is no way back. Both political parties have their agenda’s and its drowning us in huge deficits. Nothing seems to wake the majority of the American people up to what they can actually do? They really do have the power to overwhelm the Democrat, Republicans and Liberals. Not only do they have the stupendous influence of the vote, they can harass every sitting Senator or House member.
Washington is full of corruption and rotted to the core, except for a few idealistic politicians that have very little chance of turning the tables on the majority influence. November will be a paramount turning point in our nation’s history. We can follow either party’s agenda or alter our future, by voting into the Senate and House of Representatives TEA PARTY opponents. Under another four years of President Obama millions of illegal aliens already settled here will gain amnesty, while under MITT ROMNEY this may not happen. However, to stop bleeding billions of more dollars in adverse policies, the absorbed TEA PARTY leaders will have the voting influence in Congress to halt any new mass amnesties, no path to citizenship. Schools and education are one of the worst hit over the illegal alien invasion, diluting the state treasuries in 50 states of not millions, but hundreds of billions of dollars.
This is all because of unfunded mandates forcing taxpayers to finance schooling for every child of an illegal alien born here. This is an absolute inequitable consequence of the misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment. I guess if the U.S. smarting taxpayer is benefiting a whole range of countries poverty, their corrupt governments our political parties; especially Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and all the incumbents seated firmly in their comfortable jobs as administrators of this country, do you really think they care? Not one iota—but the rising ranks of the millions in the TEA PARTY ranks do care and will close this gaping hole in the law. Good lord, they cannot even get the nearly 16 trillion dollar shock in the U.S. treasury under any kind of control, so they are certainly not going to cut off your money from illegal aliens who are legally stealing as much as they can?
In fact the Republicans backed strongly by TEA PARTY members assimilated into the GOP, will insist on passing the “LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT” bring to an abrupt end to businesses hiring illegal workers over citizens and green card holders. After passage the punishment will be harsh upon the culprit-fines, asset loss and even prison. Equal or even more so, is to stop the pregnant women who assume by entering America, that the gullible U.S. taxpayer will pay their hospital fees, education for their children and other programs unavailable to legal residents. Sitting in inaction is the BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BILL that needs to be frantically pass as passage will only no longer permit children to acquire citizenship, without one parent already a U.S. citizenship or attained citizenship through military service. As a political ploy in gaining extra votes, Obama’s mob has rescinded any need of citizenship to collect food stamps.
THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WILL DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN IN EFFECTING THE VOTE, ARE THE “FREELOADERS” WHO WISH TO LIVE OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER, WHICH IS A LARGE MAJORITY OF ILLEGAL ALIENS USING STOLEN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. NAPOLITANO SAYS THE AGENCY DOESN’T HAVE THE MONEY TO DEPORT THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS, BUT THEY SURE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AND COUNTING, FOR FREE HEALTH CARE, SCHOOLING, LOW INCOME HOUSING AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF CASH PAYMENTS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGED PROGRAMS?
We are close to the point of no return. The question is, “What will it take to push us over the edge of a financial cliff?” It is secure to state: –another four years of Barack Obama plan. Should this president who allegedly has no real birth certificate, who has multiple social security numbers, a surrendered law license, sealed college and grad school records, altered selective service records and a multiplicity of other felonious actions be allowed to stay in the White House? There is evidence and it can be investigated by any prudent American at TEA PARTY DOT ORG. Now this Commander in Chief is hell-bent on irreparably harm to America with his stupid, frivolous, and dangerously reckless dealings.
This President’s choice of anti-America weapons include: Disenfranchising our troops by gutting our military. In controlling industry through the climate change scam, refusing new permits to drill for oil, natural gas and closing down coal mines. Mocking traditional marriage by endorsing same-sex unions? Driving America into a forced Obama Tax hikes. Venerating the United Nations instead of the U.S? Crushing small business through almost insurmountable rules and regulations, under the heel of Socialism? Destroying the U.S. Constitution by Executive Order obsession now underway? An administrative Czar’s covert movement to overlook foreign nationals voting in every election from now into November, if the government manages to overturn the requirement of a picture ID for eligibility.
America is another ‘TITANIC’ ready to happen. Why?
This President’s choice of anti-America weapons include: Disenfranchising our troops by gutting our military. In controlling industry through the climate change scam, refusing new permits to drill for oil, natural gas and closing down coal mines. Mocking traditional marriage by endorsing same-sex unions? Driving America into a forced Obama Tax hikes. Venerating the United Nations instead of the U.S? Crushing small business through almost insurmountable rules and regulations, under the heel of Socialism? Destroying the U.S. Constitution by Executive Order obsession now underway? An administrative Czar’s covert movement to overlook foreign nationals voting in every election from now into November, if the government manages to overturn the requirement of a picture ID for eligibility.
Because of the failed policies of President Obama and the minions who put him in office. Radical Progressive Liberals are preying on Americans who built this great nation and always paid its bills, the seniors and elderly who’s Medicare is now in peril. These heroes are growing old. They fought in the wars leaving the blood spilt in foreign countries and leaving their families alone. They paid their taxes, built families, small businesses, served our nation and pushed it to prominence. And what does Obama and his socialist minions do? Instead of thanking the greatest generation and acknowledging their contribution, he panics them with lies and political slander. His administration has pulled $716 BILLION of their money out of Medicare and puts it into ObamaCare which will crush this country. It’s as if Obama wants to destroy everything that made this nation great.
From our military to our seniors to children in school, who must now share their chance of education with the children of illegal alien parents? Now Obama objects to states that want to verify the eligible voters, remove fraud voters and illegal alien voters all in the name of the greater good. But what many do not comprehend is that voter ranks filled with fraud, it destroys the voting power of our seniors, military and new legal voters. All this adds up to the internal destruction of the core of America. It has become evident the left-wing progressive liberals are striking at the heart of America trying to give America a National Heart Attack! You heard me right. By gutting the heart of America with attacks from the left, the progressive liberals are disemboweling our great people.
Seniors – are being frightened. Military – Disenfranchised. Gun Owners – Distrustful of our government. Business Owners – Eviscerated. Tea Party – Government targets. Our Farmers, our citizens and legal residents to be spied upon by police Drones? Airports – TSA controlled. Domestic Oil Drilling – Devastated, because of the green projects of which many have failed and fallen into bankruptcy. But there is hope. It is—YOU?
YOU are the hope for America. When the chips are down the American people come through every time. Many recognize the internal destruction causing mayhem in America but feel helpless and don’t know what to do next. Well the Tea Party has the answer and it is to empower you! JOIN YOUR LOCAL OR CENTRAL TEA PARTY AND BE READY TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE DOMESTIC SOCIALIST INSURGENCY.
Join the Tea Party? Who are you kidding? They are taken over and made corrupt by the Republicans. And when you got Sarah Palin leading the way, well….you know how that ends up.
Exactly, NC.
This guy better get a grip, and get a gun!
The Tea Party won’t save him ( unless he’s talking about the one with the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland”, then they’ll just lock him up in the looney bin, and throw away the key! )
Sarah Palin and her BRIDGE TO NOWHERE. HAHAHA LOL. NC. Was the Tea Party around when they wrote the Constitution? Didn`t think so. I think the guy is trying to fool us – he must be new to this site NC – I haven`t seen his name around. Oh well, it takes all kinds NC. He must think we are a bunch of fools or something with all the tea party stuff the guy was talking. One big foot he put in his mouth saying what he did. Ha ha ha ————- P.S. The guy sure did forget to do a little bad mouthin` on the Bushes, didn`t he.
Probably a gov’t troll, especially after the site was shut down the other day. It comes back up and since they couldn’t do anything to stop us they send a paid troll to try and change our views. HA! Fat chance.
@ NC at 7:22. You might just be right,NC. I used to be able to smell them types, and I got a little troll smell myself off that guy – I hate to say it – but I hope I`m wrong I do. The shoe does seem to fit that one though, doesn`t it NC.
“Immigration agents file suit against Napolitano over ‘amnesty’ program”
Well, gee… when you have a president who hires you to control immigration and send illegals packing and then all of a sudden, the president tells the illegals that they can stay, well then, I guess it kinda makes them wonder what the hell they are suppose to enforce at the border. I mean, it’s not rocket science. So if I were them and I was probably not getting a clear answer from the old Ogre, I’d sue her, too and Obama. It’s just common sense here. Something those two idiots (Janet Napolitano and Obama) both lack and which makes them completely unqualified to be in their positions. But we all already knew that didn’t we? I mean, it’s not “rocket science”. lol
Tea Party? We don’t need no stinkin’ Tea Party! (Don’t need no stinkin’ Rand Paul, either…we could use a few more Ron Pauls, though, but anyway…)