Without notification to the appropriate Congressional oversight committees.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. I am concerned about the recent announcement by Immigration & Customs Enforcement
(ICE) to release a large number of detained persons says Michael McCaul (R-TX) U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman in a letter to ICEs Director John Morton today demanding details about the release of illegal immigrants from U.S. Detention Centers.
The letter can be found here and the text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Director Morton:
I am concerned about the recent announcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release a large number of detained persons. This decision reflects the lack of resource prioritization within the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is indicative of the Departments weak stance on national security.
Congress mandated and provided resources to maintain 34000 bed spaces for illegal immigrant detainees. As of last week ICE reported 30773 spaces filled in clear violation of statute. I am also concerned that these releases were undertaken without notification to the appropriate Congressional oversight committees.
To better understand the details of these releases I request you provide the following information not later than March 6 2013 relative to individuals already released pending release or forecast for release under this new policy:
- Total number of individuals released;
- Total number identified for release;
- Specific timeline and dates for future releases;
- Geographic breakdown of where detainees have been and will be released;
- For each individual the specific reason for their initial detention;
- For each individual the amount of time that they had been detained; and
- For each individual the specific monitoring and tracking actions taken to maintain positive accountability of each person.
Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.
