Obama Administration Expands Backdoor Amnesty

Washington, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) today announced its plans to expand backdoor amnesty.  Beginning in late April, DHS will suspend all non-detained dockets for illegal immigrants in four additional jurisdictions, as it previously did in Baltimore and Denver, for two weeks.  These jurisdictions include Detroit, New Orleans, Orlando, and Seattle.  In May, DHS will partially suspend the non-detained docket in New York City and then in July, it will implement the same procedures in San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

This means that DHS intends to solely focus on detained cases in these jurisdictions, meaning those who come to the attention of law enforcement.  But if the illegal or criminal immigrant bonds out of jail, they can be put on the non-detained docket and could potentially remain in the U.S.  This decision is just another part of the Obama administration’s plan to grant administrative amnesty to potentially millions of illegal immigrants.
 
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement criticizing the Obama administration’s decision to expand backdoor amnesty.

Chairman Smith:  “The Obama administration’s decision to expand its backdoor amnesty plan to cities across the United States endangers Americans and insults law enforcement officials. 

“The Obama administration’s refusal to enforce immigration law encourages more illegal immigration and rewards those who have broken our laws by allowing them to remain here and apply for work authorization.  And the Department of Homeland Security could let some criminal illegal immigrants, such as those charged with drunk driving, stay in the U.S.  Why would the Obama administration knowingly jeopardize the health and lives of Americans? 

“A recent poll found that two-thirds of the American people want to see our immigration laws enforced.  The Obama administration should put the interests of the American people ahead of those who have broken our immigration laws.”

Background:  In November, the Obama administration issued new deportation guidance instructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorneys to review all incoming and most pending cases before an immigration court.  These changes could potentially allow millions of illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. without a vote of Congress.

In reviewing the cases, the Obama administration has made clear that many illegal immigrants are not considered “priorities” for removal, including potential DREAM Act beneficiaries, an illegal immigrant who has had a long-term presence in the U.S., has an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen, and/or has compelling ties to the U.S.