Release of Criminal Aliens into Texas Communities Unconscionable says Gov. Perry

Requests information coordination from ICE Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The finger pointing at the highest levels of the Obama Administration and unwillingness to take responsibility for this massive security threat is unacceptable" said Gov. Rick Perry in a letter to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton. Perry is calling on the Obama Administration to provide State & Local Law Enforcement with information regarding the release of criminal aliens into Texas communities. The administration has failed to coordinate with or provide details to states where detainees have been released.

The release of criminal aliens into our communities by ICE is unconscionable. This action far surpasses the grandstanding Americans have come to associate with sequestration talks by potentially jeopardizing the safety of 26 million Texans ― safety the federal government already compromises by falling short on border security. Aside from allowing this federally sponsored jail-break to occur ICE has also failed to provide any information regarding the number of detainees released their countries of origin locations where these individuals have been released and the reasons they were detained ― despite repeated requests from my office" Gov. Perry said.

Texas has Fusion Centers and Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers (JOIC) to streamline information sharing between federal state and local law enforcement agencies which ICE failed to utilize. Gov. Perry continues to call on the federal government to fulfill its responsibility and secure our nations southern border. Because of the federal governments failure to do so Texas has invested hundreds of millions of state dollars to support and supplement border security efforts along our 1200 mile border. To view the governors letter to Director Morton please visit http://governor.state.tx.us/files/press-office/O-MortonJohn20130304.pdf.