July 31, 2008

ICE Rolling Out New "Self Deportation" Program

This looks interesting:

[Julie] Myers told the network that "Operation Scheduled Departure" will allow illegal immigrants without criminal records a chance to literally "self-deport" by turning themselves in to her agents.

She said the idea derived from a common complaint voiced by immigrant detainees: If given the opportunity, they'd rather just go home than be holed up in immigration prisons.

Under the new program, those still walking free will have the chance to walk into ICE offices, be processed and get a few weeks to arrange their affairs, pack their belongings and ship out of the country without being detained.

I'd go one better. I'd make it a rule that anyone who shows respect for our laws by turning himself in and returning to his home country voluntarily would be given some sort of benefit in our legal immigration system. I wouldn't be opposed to giving them some free legal help to get their immigration application papers on file with ICE as soon as they provide proof that they've returned to their countries of origin.

By Ragnar Danneskjold, Typical Bitter Gun-Clinger at 11:49 AM | |