US Tightens Border For Illegals... But Not Mexicans

[CVX]

Expanded Use Of Expedited Removal 'Not
For Citizens Of Mexico Or Canada'
By Paul Koring
The Globe and Mail
8-11-4

WASHINGTON -- Anyone caught sneaking into the United States across land borders from Canada or Mexico faces deportation with no right to an immigration hearing under new regulations announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Those who choose to break our nation's immigration laws will be promptly removed from the U.S.," said Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security.

The new rules, part of Washington's sweeping effort to tighten its border controls, could mean that a legally landed immigrant in Canada could be deported to his or her home country.

"But it's quite possible that we would return that individual to Canada," said Bill Strassberger, a spokesman for Homeland Security.

"That would be determined on a case-by-case basis and would depend on whether Canada would have them back."

The new rules essentially mean that existing procedures used at airports would now apply to those caught illegally crossing the long U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Under the program, known as "expedited removal," anyone caught illegally in the United States up to 160 kilometres from the border can be deported without a hearing.

"In most cases," anyone apprehended close to the border having entered the United States within two weeks will not be provided a hearing "before an immigration judge, unless the migrant is determined to have a credible fear of return to his or her country," the department said.

"The expanded use of expedited removal is primarily directed at those illegal aliens who are not citizens of Mexico or Canada."

The measures are mainly aimed at the tens of thousands of Central Americans who cross into the United States from Mexico.

Although current law allows illegal Mexican migrants to be sent back immediately if they are caught, non-Mexicans are held in detention centres.

"Overall, the numbers apprehended along the northern border are very, very small," Mr. Strassberger said.

More than 42,000 illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico have been apprehended along or near the Mexican-U.S. border in the past 16 months. All of them are currently entitled to a immigration court hearing, creating a backlog that stretches to more than a year.

Also yesterday, the department extended the time limit for short-term visits by Mexicans with border-crossing cards to 30 days from 72 hours. Those visits, restricted to 40 kilometres of the border, are designed for short shopping trips.

"It's designed for tourism, business and travel," Mr. Hutchinson said. "Those individuals who follow legal immigration procedures will benefit." Mexicans need to undergo background checks before being issued the short-term visas.

The measure is expected to be popular in states such as Arizona and New Mexico, where there are tightly fought races for the November election. President George W. Bush is expected to campaign today in Arizona.

"It's 27 more days in a row that people from Mexico can come here and spend money... It's 10 times more than what we have right now, so it's great," said Bill Summers, president of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, which promotes the South Texas region.

© Copyright 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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[plazul]

We're never going to be able to stop illegal immigration. What's needed are serious felony penalities for people who harbor and employ illegals and counterfeit proof smart cards for migrant workers equipped with gps tracking and vital statistics on a chip.

I propose liberalizing work permit laws too because migrants fill many jobs that Americans wont take.

Originally Posted by plazul

We're never going to be able to stop illegal immigration. What's needed are serious felony penalities for people who harbor and employ illegals and counterfeit proof smart cards for migrant workers equipped with gps tracking and vital statistics on a chip.

Agreed! I find this solution to be elegantly simple compared to the alternatives.

I propose liberalizing work permit laws too because migrants fill many jobs that Americans wont take.

The migrant work job programs that have been in place off and on over the past 40 years in California worked great.

The employers got great workers, the employers were held accountable for taxes and proper filings, and the workers got great pay and were able to send gobs of many back into the Mexican economy - which helped Mexico.

In addition, since both the Immigration Dept., the U.S. Labor Relations Department, and the Employers had info on each worker, it was pretty hard for the migrant workers to "disappear" into the U.S. They were in no way anonymous.

[pattybug52]

I agree also-give them the chance to work here legally. However I do not agree with giving them a drivers license-to me that is a privilege of being a citizen-how many times people getting a ticket are told by the judge!

[Pearl Harbor]

Originally Posted by pattybug52

I agree also-give them the chance to work here legally. However I do not agree with giving them a drivers license-to me that is a privilege of being a citizen-how many times people getting a ticket are told by the judge!

I certainly agree with that. Is not the Mexican driver's license a valid license in the U.S.? Sure it is. Just as your U.S. license works in Mexico.

[pattybug52]

But none of them even have a mexican license! I know if anyone out of state comes to live and work in Calif they have to change their out of state license to a calif one. Me and my whole family had to do that 30 some years ago when we came out from the east coast.Also have to change their car registration-and cannot register the car without insurance or a drivers license.

[xlt66]

I think this is ironic. How and why does California allow *illegal immigrants to get licensed?

Originally Posted by pattybug52

But none of them even have a mexican license! I know if anyone out of state comes to live and work in Calif they have to change their out of state license to a calif one. Me and my whole family had to do that 30 some years ago when we came out from the east coast.Also have to change their car registration-and cannot register the car without insurance or a drivers license.

[pattybug52]

our last governor passed a bill where illegals could get a drivers license-people went ballistic over it-probably how Arnold got voted in-who-when he came in as gov reversed the decision-everyone knew the only reason it was passed was cause the gov thought the recall would not happen till after the first of the year and he could get all the hispanic votes. There was also a clause in it that even being illegal, getting the license to drive could sign them up to vote also-even tho they are illegal! People caught on real fast and booted him out! A lot of people do not like Gov Arnold but I think he is doing okay and involves the people in the decisions.

[maritori]

I'll tell you what's sad about immigration. We keep those out that can help to make our country a better place, and then people get in who have no business here.

My husband is from England. There are so many people from England that would love to be able to come here on a permanent basis. I think they should be able too. Perhaps, it would be best to control how many can come each year. But I don't see any reason that they shouldn't be allowed to come.

I also think that we should allow a certain number of mexicans to enter. They are the hardest working people that I have ever see in my life. They know the value of a dollar and they are not afraid to work for it.

So, I don't think that it's necessarily a matter of open or closed borders but rather CONTROLLED BORDERS. I think the key to anything is CONTROL. Somehow our country seems to have lost sight of that. The right hand doesn't always know what the left hand is doing. Until we have a correct system of checks and balances in place then nothing can change.

[pattybug52]

very good post-especially about Control! Look how easy the terrorist got in, got drivers licenses, even pilot license to do the 911. Keeping eyes on both borders is very hard to do-it so big.But something needs to be done soon, it is out of control. The only way any hispanics get deported is if they commit a big crime-even then they are back here in 2 mos. My brother used to work for INS and they do not go door to door kicking illegals out-would take 1000 years to accomplish that-plus everyone they kicked out would be right back-why bother waste the time and money. I wish the ones who really do contribute and are decent people had an easier way to come live and work here. I am assuming the Green card issue must cost money that they do not have. I just get really peed off with my car insurance always going up from the illegals having accidents with no insurance or drivers license, and person hit gets the bill-you never find that illegal again. I do know many families that when one member gets in trouble with law they send them back to relatives in Mexico till things cool off.