CSM: Illegal entry by non-Mexicans rises

[unhappycamper]

Illegal entry by non-Mexicans rises
By Kris Axtman | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the July 26, 2005 edition

HOUSTON – After decades of attempting to dam the flow of Mexican immigrants crossing into the United States illegally, federal agents say a new crisis is emerging along the southern border and they are helpless to stop it.

Non-Mexicans are spilling over the border in record numbers - some from countries with terrorist ties - and most are set free soon after being captured.

Already this year, the number of non-Mexican apprehensions has far outpaced last year's total in just eight months. And while they are still a relatively small percentage compared with the number of illegal Mexicans, critics say the federal government's policy in dealing with them is far more dangerous.

Because OTMs, or "Other Than Mexicans" as the Border Patrol classifies them, must be returned to their country of origin, they cannot be simply sent back across the southern border, as most Mexicans are. Under US law, they must be detained (in the US) pending a deportation hearing. The problem is, immigration detention centers are packed, so most OTMs are given a court summons and told to return in three months. A full 85 percent don't.

MORE
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0726/p01s01-usfp.html

[Greyhound]

1. Musn't secure those borders. Might offend someone.

[ClintonTyree]

2. Hell, the Republicans WANT them here..........

cheap, slave labor. A Republican's wet dream. Why would they want to stem the tide, other than protecting Americans from terrorists of course?

Republicans are soft on terrorism! They WANT more of these cheap labor illegals coming into our country. That way they can bust up ANY Union and get this country firmly rooted back to the glorious Robber-Baron, halcyon days of yore.

[Ron Mexico]

5. I am surrounded by Repugs at work, and

although I hate to defend them, every single one is of the "round 'em up and ship 'em home" mentality. In fact, I have never met a Republican who wants illegals here. Never.

Maybe there would be less of a rift between the people of this country if either side had politicians that actually represented them. When I lived out in California, I wanted something done about illegals, and it was the Democrats that wouldn't let it happen. Neither side on the Hill wants to stop this, but every poll I see has between 75% and 80% of their constituents wanting something done. That covers both sides.

To be honest, both parties make me sick on this issue.

[Bridget Burke]

3. The Federal Government has decided to release "dangerous" people?

Gosh, they just don't have room for them. Guess it's impossible to expand the detention centers.

There are too few employees to process legal immigrants efficiently--talk to someone who's hired an immigration lawyer. So there are too few people to look for the OTM's they've released.

This is NOT a matter of guarding the border--but of a poorly funded government agency. Ain't those tax cuts great?

[unhappycamper]

4. Hmmmm. Could this be one of the reasons for the updated AR 210-35?

I hadn't thought of that. Here's a thread I posted this weekend:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4179456