ICE to start voluntary self-deportation program?

Posted Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 6:44 pm

[See *both* updates; it makes sense now.]

According to a press release supposedly from Frank Sharry of America's Voice [1]:

In an interview on the Univision television program "Al Punto" last Sunday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary Julie Myers announced the latest Bush Administration plan to tackle the problem of undocumented immigration: voluntary self-deportation. Myers announced that ICE would soon launch a program encouraging undocumented workers to "turn themselves in" in an "organized" way. According to Myers, this program would give workers a chance to make the necessary arrangements before leaving their families behind in the U.S.

A "report to deport" program was part of the Cornyn-Kyl amnesty scheme; under that, illegal aliens would report to DHS, be deported, and then be able to come back legally at some point. However, unless Myers said something other than what's provided above (a possibility), there's little incentive for someone to turn themselves in. There's very little chance that a non-criminal illegal alien will be picked up in a raid. What game the DHS is playing is left to the reader's imagination.

Voluntary self-deportation would work over time, but for that to happen there are going to have to be a lot more raids and at least some reduction in the numbers of services that illegal aliens can take advantage of. Some high-profile prosecutions of company executives or even crooked politicians would be nice as well, but reducing the jobs and services available would do the trick without a formal process having to be in place.

[1] The press release is here: dos-centavos.blogspot.com/2008/07/americas-voice-responds-to-self-deport.html
While there's no link provided and there's no such press release at AV's site, I also don't think most people would bother faking a press release. I'm not going to bother discussing the rest of the PR, but that part of it has little validity.

UPDATE: The program has been confirmed, and is called "Operation Scheduled Departure" (link). Those on both sides of this issue both make the point that without an incentive this isn't going to work too well. And:

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... Myers said the program would allow immigrants to avoid the increasing risks of being picked up in a raid at home or at work, but would offer no additional incentives to turn themselves in - no chance at qualifying for an amnesty, for example...

UPDATE 2: This makes a lot more sense now (link):

The self-deportation program is only for people who have received deportation orders and who have not committed crimes, said Lori Haley, ICE spokeswoman... "We've gotten a lot of criticism when we make fugitive operations arrests and go to people's homes or businesses," Haley said. "People say that it's very difficult for their family members to deal with. This is a way people can have control over their own removal."

I'm going to assume that ICE came up with this program to deflect criticisms from far-left/racial power groups after those fugitives are arrested at their homes (example), and that ICE will point out that those fugitives could have turned themselves in. So, it appears to actually be a good idea.

Tags: 
frank sharry

Comments

Edward (not verified)

Thu, 07/31/2008 - 00:45

At first read, it sounds pretty dumb, but there's no reason it shouldn't be part of the total package. It's a long way from a good idea, because the carrot and stick are missing. The program needs a deadline, say 6 months to get your affairs in order, then report and depart without penalty. And with the hope alive of legal re-entry. Otherwise, felony status and a permanent ban would apply to ALL who remain past the date. Unfortunately, this is Julie we're talking about. No good idea will go unpunished, no bad idea, untried.

KAB (not verified)

Thu, 07/31/2008 - 05:17

I believe this is a publicity stunt (like the Postville raid). ICE (Julie Myers) gets headlines, when in reality nothing is going to happen. No aliens are going to turn themselves in. There is no benefit to turning themselves in. Any alien unlawfully present in the United States for more than a year is inadmissible (cannot return) to the United States for 10 years following his or her departure. In my view, ICE's high publicity enforcement actions are designed to strike fear in the business community so that the business community will pressure Congress for "comprehensive" immigration reform.

Michael Hampton (not verified)

Tue, 08/05/2008 - 02:57

This is modeled on the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Safe Surrender program, which actually has had some success. So it might work. But there are larger issues at play here, like the faltering economy. (P.S. Most illegal immigrants picked up in raids are "non-criminal" ones, i.e. their only "crime" was being here in the first place and daring to work.)