The president of a union that represents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers testified in the a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration last week that ICE agents have been told by ICE headquarters not to arrest illegal aliens who do not have a prior criminal conviction - even if they’re fugitives who’ve been ordered deported or have illegally re-entered the United States after being deported, reports
CNSnews.com.
Chris Crane, who is also an active-duty ICE agent, told the committee on Oct. 12, “ICE officers and agents also alleged that they were not permitted to arrest or even speak to confirmed or suspected illegal aliens encountered in the field during operations and were prohibited from running standard criminal record checks for wants and warrants.”
Crane said he believed the policy was putting both the public and ICE agents at risk.
“It not only prevents officers from talking to and arresting persons who may be wanted for crimes but also individuals who are being victimized and in need of assistance,” said Crane. “Certainly, anyone can see that these practices are contrary to effective law enforcement practice and place the public at risk”
Crane added, “Of course, these practices also place our officers at risk. They should never be prohibited from talking to people at the scene, conducting interviews as needed, running appropriate background checks, or even making additional arrests.”
During an Oct. 19 hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about the information Crane had brought forward. Napolitano denied that agents were being told not to arrest fugitives and deportees who had re-entered the country.
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