Illegal Immigration Is Up.....

A report recently ran citing that illegal immigration is up in this country while the number of deportations are down. This is a DHS issue, of course, because it involves undocumented people entering into the country without any real record of who they are and what their possible intentions are. For the most part, people entering the country illegally are looking for work but we still have to take this report seriously. With New Year’s even almost upon us, security in this country tightens because there will be many parities hosted with large gatherings.

Jeh Johnson of the DHS recently spoke to reporters about the increase in illegal immigration. An administration official said the drop in deportations was at least partially due to the surge of illegal immigrants from Central America, who require detention, flights and travel documents, which makes them more expensive to deport versus the cost to deport illegal Mexicans, who can usually be quickly sent back across the land border.

The official also said part of the problem is that so-called “sanctuary city” localities are increasingly refusing to turn immigrants over to federal authorities for deportation. Homeland Security said localities refused 10,182 different requests from federal agents to hold illegal immigrants the agents wanted to pick up for deportation. (Washington Times)
Regardless if the numbers are slightly up or slightly down, the problem remains and will be carried into 2015 as an issue this country has yet to resolve. In fact, I don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” solution right now to address this problem. I’ve said several times on this blog that there has to be a series of protocols implemented but the ability for the DHS to look at illegal immigrants on a case-by-case basis before deciding if they should be deported or provided with an option to apply for citizenship. Either way, this is certainly an issue I will continue to address in the New Year.

2015 will be interesting for us as a country and from a homeland security perspective. I look forward to covering these topics (and more) for all of you in the future. This said, I will be taking a break from the blog to celebrate the holidays- returning with a post on Friday, January 26th.

Twyla N. Garrett

Alejandro Mayorkas May Replace Eric Holder

Here's a dose of Friday buzz for you.... Alejandro Mayorkas may be replacing Eric Holder as the Attorney General. So, what's the big deal? Well, for one, the country’s largest law enforcement officers’ organization, the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), personally is championing Mayorkas to President Obama. National president Chuck Canterbury penned an Oct. 31 letter on behalf of Moyorkas and sent it to President Obama at the White House - which is a huge deal. In fact, Mayorkas has the experience and qualification for the job- but as you know- this doesn't mean he will get it.

Why you should care: Mr. Mayorkas can offer insight and actually get things done as the Attorney General. He was the director of US citizenship and Immigration Services — the biggest immigration system in the world with a $3 billion budget and 18,000 workers. He knows a lot of about the different issues and he is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now. You should care because someone, like Mayorkas, has to have a lot of knowledge about grey areas when it comes to protecting human rights and civil liberties while also keeping the country safe and playing politics at the same time.

Here is some more info on Alejandro Mayorkas directly from the DHS: http://www.dhs.gov/person/alejandro-mayorkas

We don't have any say if Mayorkas gets to fill Eric Holder's position or not. But I can use this blog to urge the President to highly consider someone capable of sustaining programs for the long-term, and who can consider implementing- if not developing- new technologies, to better how the DHS operates and handles sensitive matters. Why do I think Mayorkas fits this role? Well, he had to look at the DHS - his own department- from the inside out earlier this year.

For example, an immigrant detention facility that opened earlier this year in Artesia, New Mexico, has been very controversial. Mothers being held there complained about cold temperatures, undercooked food their children wouldn't eat, and difficulties in presenting their case for why they should remain in the country rather than being deported. After visiting the facility, attorneys claimed that women were forced to speak about their experiences -- often including abuse and sexual assault -- in front of their children. This is a great example where policies should meet with commonsense.

Instead of passing the buck, Mayorkas responded quickly to concerns about Artesia, saying "If, in fact, we fall short, and quite frankly, the advocacy community has identified instances where we have not provided as we should for the care and needs of those families, then we will respond aggressively to address that and to solve that problem." And, the DHS is working to improve its approach in screening women in the detention facility and addressing issues on a case-by-case basis.

As we finish out a very political week, try to remember that not all DHS issues are black and white. We, as people and policy makers, have to be able to pivot from time-to-time.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett of IME