United States Senator Jeff Sessions

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Sessions On ICE Lawsuit Against Admin: Agents’ Jobs Under Threat For Upholding Law, Protecting Public

Thursday, August 23, 2012

“Those serving on the front lines are being forced to release offenders who pose a clear threat to public safety…Understandably, we are told agent morale has never been worse… The men and women who swore an oath to uphold the law and protect the public safety are now forced to ignore the law if they are to remain secure in their jobs.”
 
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed today by frontlines officers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including Chris Crane, President of the ICE officers’ union. The lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Director John Morton charges that the Obama Administration’s new deferred action and prosecutorial discretion directive “commands ICE officers to violate their oaths to uphold and support federal law”:
 
“It is a sad day when our nation’s law enforcement officers are left with no recourse but to file suit against the Administration and its political appointees. America was poised to make great progress on immigration enforcement—after Congress was forced into action by the American public—but the President’s unilateral pursuit of far-reaching amnesty has not only undermined this progress but reversed it. The men and women who swore an oath to uphold the law and protect the public safety are now forced to ignore the law if they are to remain secure in their jobs. We already know of one officer who faces suspension for arresting a 35-year old illegal alien with multiple misdemeanor violations and apparent ties to a fugitive. Understandably, we are told agent morale has never been worse.
 
While the Administration informs the public that its policies are narrow in scope and limited in application, the truth is that effective enforcement has been made nearly impossible. Those serving on the front lines are being forced to release offenders who pose a clear threat to public safety. They see the violence, the chaos, and the lawlessness on a daily basis.
 
All Americans, immigrant and native born, will have a better future if America remains unique among nations for the special reverence it places in the rule of law. We do no service to this nation and those seeking a better future by eroding the values that have made us great. It is time to end the lawlessness, not surrender to it. Only then can we move forward together to tackle and solve these complex problems in a united and principled fashion.”
 
NOTE: Nearly three weeks ago, Sessions sent a letter to ICE Director Morton demanding to know why an ICE agent faces suspension for seeking judicial proceedings for an illegal alien who was apprehended in connection with a fugitive investigation, and later found to have at least 10 prior traffic convictions, including driving without a license. His superiors released the apprehended alien over the officer’s public safety concerns. To date, Morton has failed to respond or provide any information about this controversial case. To view Sessions’ letter, please click here.


August 2012 News Releases


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