HOUSTON, Texas–The mainstream media was abuzz after 38 illegal immigrants–of the tens of thousands who have flooded the border in recent months–were deported to their home countries in Central America. In a tongue-in-cheek comment, Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, who remains dismayed with the Obama Administration’s handing of the border crisis, called the small deportation load “bold.”
Gohmert told Breitbart Texas, “USCIS reports that this administration has legalized over 550,000 illegal immigrants with President Obama’s pronouncement of his new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals which did not pass through Congress but was only passed through the President’s lips. The New York Times and other sources have reported that just in recent months there have been about 300,000 new illegal entries into the U.S.”
He sarcastically continued, “So, it is a bold move for this administration to now reduce an illegal immigrants chances of staying in the U.S. from 100% to 99.9955%.”
It is easy to imagine that the minuscule deportation was an attempt to send a message to Central America: if you come to the U.S. illegally, you won’t be allowed to stay. But such messaging efforts show little signs of being effective, given that the majority of those who illegally cross the border will get some form of amnesty.
Republicans further argue that the administration’s entire process for dealing with illegal immigrants encourages more to make the dangerous trek north. Instead of being turned away at the border, migrants are instead taken to a federal housing facility where they enjoy a myriad of taxpayer subsidized benefits including housing, food, education, vocational training, recreation, and even legal counsel.
Subsequent to a relatively short stay in federal custody, most of migrants are released onto U.S. soil. They promise to appear at an immigration court hearing at a later date, but as many as 95 percent never show up. They ultimately end up getting lost in the woodwork or forgotten about by U.S. officials.
Senator Ted Cruz previously told Breitbart Texas that the “humanitarian crisis” is a “direct consequence” of the Obama Administration’s actions and rhetoric.”It is a direct consequence of the presidents illegal actions,” Cruz said. “The [Central American] parents think, ‘If I send my child [to the U.S.], my child will have amnesty.’ That’s what the president of the U.S. has said. It is the exact opposite of a humane approach to immigration or to securing our borders.”
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