Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Friday that some of the more than 2,000 illegal immigrants recently released by the Homeland Security Department because of budget cuts may have been convicted of serious crimes, citing "local sources."
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, McCain demanded new information on the release of the detainees, who were facing deportation, including the details of their criminal records. He said there's a possibility some of them had committed serious crimes such as smuggling, narcotics trafficking and child molestation.
Federal officials maintain those released were non-violent criminals and low-risk offenders. The states where immigrants were released include Arizona, California, Georgia and Texas.
McCain wants Napolitano to make public this month the criteria used to determine which detainees were released and how many had been convicted of serious crimes.
"Local sources have raised the possibility that some of the detainees had committed serious crimes such as weapons offenses, smuggling, narcotics trafficking, forgery, aggravated assault against police officers and child molestation," McCain wrote. "The American public needs to be confident that... the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in fact did not release detainees who will be a danger to the public."
McCain's press office did not respond to a request to identify the local sources the senator cited.
McCain also raised questions about whether the budget cuts have prompted Border Patrol agents to quickly release newly detained illegal immigrants. He requested answers by March 18.
Other Senate and House Republican leaders have also called for a review of the releases. Critics argue that the plan allowed thousands of criminals to return to the street without regard to public safety.
Government documents show the Obama administration planned to release roughly 5,000 immigrants by the end of March. The agency's field offices reported more than 2,000 immigrants were released in February before intense criticism led to a temporary shutdown of the plan, according to the documents.
Immigration officials said the immigrants still eventually face deportation and are required to appear for future court hearings. They must also consent to mandatory check-ins, phone calls, tracking devices or home visits. Violators can be detained again or deported.
McCain is working with a handful of Republican senators to overhaul immigration policy. He has said a path to citizenship for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants must be contingent on better border security.
Cum Suma posted at 7:49 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
Sen McCain "... has said a path to citizenship for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants must be contingent on better border security." Sure, well that's gonna work real great considering Border Patrol cuts due to Sequestration.
Why no emphasis on employers who hire illegals? Too much 'pull?'
retired03 posted at 8:29 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
two things, yes the names and crimes or at least a list of crimes should be made available and two: McCain needs to release the name of his local source. The question immediately comes up as to why he will not name them. The answer to me is obvious... It's nothing more than politically motivated on McCains part. (i have a suspician I know who the local source is, King joe arpaio. Now there is some political motivation for ya.)
Azi posted at 9:19 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
What a hypocrite! In 1991, I lived in the area of 15th Ave & Northern and there was a shooting at a house directly across the street. The Phoenix P.D. arrived and rounded up 35 undocumented aliens. The P.D. were instructed to release these people into the neighborhood and without a dime to their name. They held these people for an hour while I made calls to the Border Patrol, Senator McCain's and Kyl's office and our Washington representatives refused to do anything as well as border patrol.
I thought about this for a long time and realized they don't care, for these people were nothing more than disposable and cheap labor for many of their campaign donors.
glm posted at 9:27 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
This is nothing more than an attempt to calm the anger over his stupid comments about Rand Paul and the filibuster. McCain, quit feigning concern over the release to detract from the rino criticism. You need to retire....NOW.
glm posted at 9:36 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
I guess the ole rino thinks it's okay to release them as long as no additional crimes have been committed. Why didn't he complain when this first happened? Because now he is facing backlash from his comments about the filibuster...
hewdoc posted at 9:58 am on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
McCain is a piece of work !
He unequivocally endorses amnesty, although won't admit it. He chooses to hide his aim using words other than amnesty.
He is aware that the burden (cost) of amnesty will fall on the shoulders of working, tax paying Americans.
He is aware that low wage paying businesses, and the left, will reap the benefits of increased lower class population. People buying more things, and more land owners collecting rents paid. But the American people will be footing the bills.
He is also aware that amnesty will increase costs of welfare, education, the judicial / legal and corrections industries, hospital and medical industries, and many other public costs. But again the American people will foot the bills.
McCain is pandering to his constituencies, which represent big business, even bigger government and the military industrial war industry.
How the press can refer to him as conservative is a joke.
If McCain, a dyed in the wool true RHINO, a carpetbagger, were a true patriot he would resign, and allow the voters to elect a real conservative.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 12:15 pm on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
What is John "Keating Five" McCain complaining about ??????????
This is just what he and newly elected Senator Jeff "Utah Compact" Flake have been asking for............................AMNESTY FOR 20,000,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS CRIMINALS WHO ENTERED THE UNIITED STATES ..........ILLEGALLY.
Cum Suma posted at 4:18 pm on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
Does John even live here?
Leon Ceniceros posted at 10:07 pm on Sat, Mar 9, 2013.
Is John even married anymore?
The last photo I saw of Mrs. McCain was on the cover of the National Enquirer or National Examiner....one of those ...."scandal rags".
downtownresident posted at 10:51 am on Sun, Mar 10, 2013.
How are these 2,000 illegals that much different from many members of Congress?
They both do nothing productive, get free health care and free food and housing and many of the members of Congress have, or will, commit serious crimes, and likely get off with no punishment. In addition to being paid an obscene salary for doing nothing and only working 126 days this session.
LiveInGilbert posted at 9:36 pm on Tue, Mar 12, 2013.
Does anyone really care what John McCain says any more - I mean really? His long, slow downhill slide ended at rock bottom when he pick Palin as a running mate and whatever respect I had for the man was gone. I think I would rather hear what Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton thinks.....
Ateam1 posted at 9:11 pm on Fri, Mar 15, 2013.
Surprised is wasn't blamed on Joe![beam]