How Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) works in America

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John Morton, DHS ICE

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First, there is a law governing legal immigration, defining how people can apply for citizenship or work permits to enter the country legally.

There are laws and regulations governing how to apprehend and prosecute violators of immigration law.

Observing our system, we see that millions of people have entered the country illegally and are here working for someone, illegally.

Since the laws governing this circumstance are Federal, the federal enforcement agency declares responsibility. Except, then it is pointed out by local communities that illegals are going about their business in their community and they want enforcement, the federal enforcers don’t show up or are otherwise ineffective.

So, some states and local governments take the law back into their hands since the federal authorities are failing. This jurisdictional battle is now in the courts.

In the meantime, we see a story where an Obama administration executive wants to implement a policy to provide softer accommodations and treatment for some illegals, segregating them as those having committed other crimes from those having committed only illegal entry.

Some supervisors and workers who are responsible for incarceration and custody don’t like the executive direction and want to make it a management-labor negotiation issue because workers think that the move is less safe or more dangerous for them.

In the meantime, back at the home ranch, we American citizens just want the laws enforced and are not interested in hearing nuance from executives about how to treat violators of American law.

When you catch them, send them home promptly. That is the law, and that should be American justice.

President Obama, please do your job.