At 2:19 the host concludes that if someone has been caught entering the country illegally that they aren't even real gang members. That's a pretty amazing leap in logic. The people who are given sentences and sent to prison for illegal re-entry aren't your average illegal aliens, they most often are illegal aliens who have been deported after serving sentences in state prisons for "real" crimes, and who are then re-apprehended when they re-enter the country illegally. Because they are caught when they are entering the country (and haven't had an opportunity to commit "real" crimes), the only thing they can be charged with and incarcerated for is the illegal re-entry, which is convenient for people feigning outrage about people being locked up for no other reason than illegal re-entry. They're not JUST being locked up for illegal re-entry, they're being locked up for being ex-felons who are violating the terms of their probation by illegally re-entering the US after having been convicted of a felony. Most people caught entering the country illegally never see the inside of a prison, they are summarily deported over and over until the odds play out and they are finally able to make it across the border without being caught. The people who wind up getting lengthy sentences are the ones who "earn" their places in prison by re-entering the country after having been convicted of a felony and formally deported and barred from re-entry. As for the host's conclusion that people who are serving time for illegal entry can't possibly be "real" gang members, I'd invite her to do a little research into gangs like the Border Brothers, Wetback Power, MS-13, 18th Street and a load of other smaller and less well known gangs that have illegal aliens as members. There's PLENTY to work with when you are attacking CCA, you don't need start making huge leaps in logic, just stick with the facts and you'll do fine.
Hey Anon, thanks for reading and commenting. I think what you discuss cuts both ways - no these folks aren't necessarily gang members. They might be, they might not be. But gang members and non-gang members alike often get caught up in the immigration detention system. In fact, the system is overwhelmingly populated with people whose only real offense is a status violation/illegal reentry. Immigrants who commit serious crimes within the US are often incarcerated under state or federal BOP jurisdiction (so not ICE or USMS). Govt programs like operation streamline and raids on businesses in the south have caught many people who came to this country looking for honest work.
Many people who are caught living in or entering the country illegally languish for months in immigration detention before ever getting a deportation hearing, because the system is so backed up. In fact, many of the immigrants in detention haven't earned their place at all - a lot of them haven't been tried (and thus not convicted), only charged.
But all this speaks to a bigger question about what we should be doing with immigrants and precious tax dollars. Research has shown that home monitoring/GPS is just as effective as detention in getting immigrants to show up to deportation proceedings. That also happens to cost WAY less, literally hundreds of dollars per day less, than placing someone in custody, particularly in immigration detention custody where private companies charge exorbitant per diems. In the process of being incarcerated, these people are often abused and victimized, physically, mentally, and emotionally. IMHO, there's no justification for subjecting someone to the brutality of a private prison for simply being in this country illegally, and it's a huge waste of my, and your, money.
I don't know anything about ICE detention centers, but it's my understanding that what you say is true, that the people there are charged with status offenses and are considered detainees, not prisoners or convicts. But I thought we were talking about Adams County Correctional Center. ACCC doesn't hold ICE detainees, it holds BOP inmates, all of whom were convicted of crimes, not status offenses, and many of whom have been convicted of non-immigration related offenses before being deported the first time. Also, before an inmate who is convicted of a federal crime is tried and sentenced, he or she will be in USMS custody while on trial or while waiting for sentencing and eventual designation to a BOP facility. They may be in USMS custody for years before going to BOP.
I don't know that there's a one-size fits all solution. people immigrate to this country for different reasons - work, quality of life, asylum, etc. I don't think we should summarily deport everyone nor do I think we should amnesty everyone. I don't have a solution to the immigration "crisis," nor do many politicians, or so it would seem. I do think we should facilitate the process of becoming a citizen, because part of what I really love and respect about this country and its history is its openness to immigration and the hope that it gives people living in far crappier countries.
At 2:19 the host concludes that if someone has been caught entering the country illegally that they aren't even real gang members. That's a pretty amazing leap in logic. The people who are given sentences and sent to prison for illegal re-entry aren't your average illegal aliens, they most often are illegal aliens who have been deported after serving sentences in state prisons for "real" crimes, and who are then re-apprehended when they re-enter the country illegally. Because they are caught when they are entering the country (and haven't had an opportunity to commit "real" crimes), the only thing they can be charged with and incarcerated for is the illegal re-entry, which is convenient for people feigning outrage about people being locked up for no other reason than illegal re-entry. They're not JUST being locked up for illegal re-entry, they're being locked up for being ex-felons who are violating the terms of their probation by illegally re-entering the US after having been convicted of a felony. Most people caught entering the country illegally never see the inside of a prison, they are summarily deported over and over until the odds play out and they are finally able to make it across the border without being caught. The people who wind up getting lengthy sentences are the ones who "earn" their places in prison by re-entering the country after having been convicted of a felony and formally deported and barred from re-entry. As for the host's conclusion that people who are serving time for illegal entry can't possibly be "real" gang members, I'd invite her to do a little research into gangs like the Border Brothers, Wetback Power, MS-13, 18th Street and a load of other smaller and less well known gangs that have illegal aliens as members. There's PLENTY to work with when you are attacking CCA, you don't need start making huge leaps in logic, just stick with the facts and you'll do fine.
ReplyDeleteI also forgot Los Zetas, El Sinaloa Cartel and Los Chapos.
ReplyDeleteHey Anon, thanks for reading and commenting. I think what you discuss cuts both ways - no these folks aren't necessarily gang members. They might be, they might not be. But gang members and non-gang members alike often get caught up in the immigration detention system. In fact, the system is overwhelmingly populated with people whose only real offense is a status violation/illegal reentry. Immigrants who commit serious crimes within the US are often incarcerated under state or federal BOP jurisdiction (so not ICE or USMS). Govt programs like operation streamline and raids on businesses in the south have caught many people who came to this country looking for honest work.
DeleteMany people who are caught living in or entering the country illegally languish for months in immigration detention before ever getting a deportation hearing, because the system is so backed up. In fact, many of the immigrants in detention haven't earned their place at all - a lot of them haven't been tried (and thus not convicted), only charged.
But all this speaks to a bigger question about what we should be doing with immigrants and precious tax dollars. Research has shown that home monitoring/GPS is just as effective as detention in getting immigrants to show up to deportation proceedings. That also happens to cost WAY less, literally hundreds of dollars per day less, than placing someone in custody, particularly in immigration detention custody where private companies charge exorbitant per diems. In the process of being incarcerated, these people are often abused and victimized, physically, mentally, and emotionally. IMHO, there's no justification for subjecting someone to the brutality of a private prison for simply being in this country illegally, and it's a huge waste of my, and your, money.
I don't know anything about ICE detention centers, but it's my understanding that what you say is true, that the people there are charged with status offenses and are considered detainees, not prisoners or convicts. But I thought we were talking about Adams County Correctional Center. ACCC doesn't hold ICE detainees, it holds BOP inmates, all of whom were convicted of crimes, not status offenses, and many of whom have been convicted of non-immigration related offenses before being deported the first time. Also, before an inmate who is convicted of a federal crime is tried and sentenced, he or she will be in USMS custody while on trial or while waiting for sentencing and eventual designation to a BOP facility. They may be in USMS custody for years before going to BOP.
DeleteWhat do you think should be done with people who violate immigration law? Should they be deported or allowed to stay?
ReplyDeleteI don't know that there's a one-size fits all solution. people immigrate to this country for different reasons - work, quality of life, asylum, etc. I don't think we should summarily deport everyone nor do I think we should amnesty everyone. I don't have a solution to the immigration "crisis," nor do many politicians, or so it would seem. I do think we should facilitate the process of becoming a citizen, because part of what I really love and respect about this country and its history is its openness to immigration and the hope that it gives people living in far crappier countries.
Delete