Pushing back on charges from liberal lawmakers that his agency is unfocused in its targeting of immigrants, the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week revealed that nine of 10 arrested have criminal records.
Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan said that 89 percent of all illegal immigrants arrested have a criminal record. “That’s nine out of 10,” he said.
And 72 percent of those arrested had criminal convictions, said Homan, who is retiring from his post soon.
“We exactly are prioritizing,” he said, rebuffing charges that his agency is conducting general raids and sweeps in the immigrant community.
“We don’t do sweeps,” he emphasized at a National Press Club event sponsored by the Center for Immigration Studies.
During that event, Center Policy Director Jessica Vaughan said that there are an estimated two million criminal illegals in the United States, and that half are at large.
Many of those arrested are fugitives who either went into hiding after illegally coming into the United States or never appeared at deportation hearings.
Homan expressed frustration at those who criticize ICE for arresting immigrants who have been in the U.S. for a long time. They ask, Homan said, “Why did you arrest him?” His answer, “Because he’s a fugitive.”
He added, “Ignoring the law isn’t the answer. Just because you entered the country illegally and successfully hid out for a while doesn’t make it OK.”
