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1 hour ago White House was 'unaware' of immigration detainee release
(CNN) – Neither the White House nor the Homeland Security Department headquarters were made aware of the Immigration Customs and Enforcement decision to release detainees ahead of the pending forced spending cuts, an administration official said Wednesday.
Separately, at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the decision was made by ICE "without any input from the White House."
"The agency released these low-risk, non-criminal detainees under a less-expensive form of monitoring to ensure detention levels stayed within ICE's overall budget," he said.
The agency announced Tuesday that it was releasing "several hundred" people out of detention facilities to other "less costly" forms of supervision because of the automatic across-the-board spending reductions set to begin Friday.
Gillian Christensen, a customs enforcement spokeswoman, said the cases were reviewed over the past week as part of agency preparations for the government-wide cuts, set to total $85 billion in the next seven months.
"As fiscal uncertainty remains over the continuing resolution and possible sequestration, ICE has reviewed its detained population to ensure detention levels stay within ICE's current budget," she said in a statement.
"All of these individuals remain in removal proceedings. Priority for detention remains on serious criminal offenders and other individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety," she added.
That move prompted an incredulous reaction from House Speaker John Boehner, who said on CBS the release of detainees was "outrageous."
"This is very hard for me to believe, that they can't find cuts elsewhere in their agency," Boehner said, adding: "I'm looking for more facts but I can't believe that they can't find the kind of savings they need out of that department short of letting criminals go free."
Republican leaders have criticized Obama administration warnings as scare tactics, but also said the cuts would be bad policy and should be changed. Only rigid fiscal conservatives have backed the concept of mandatory deep spending cuts as a painful first step of deficit reduction.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/27/white-house-was-unaware-of-immigration-detainee-release/?hpt=po_c2
Separately, at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the decision was made by ICE "without any input from the White House."
"The agency released these low-risk, non-criminal detainees under a less-expensive form of monitoring to ensure detention levels stayed within ICE's overall budget," he said.
The agency announced Tuesday that it was releasing "several hundred" people out of detention facilities to other "less costly" forms of supervision because of the automatic across-the-board spending reductions set to begin Friday.
Gillian Christensen, a customs enforcement spokeswoman, said the cases were reviewed over the past week as part of agency preparations for the government-wide cuts, set to total $85 billion in the next seven months.
"As fiscal uncertainty remains over the continuing resolution and possible sequestration, ICE has reviewed its detained population to ensure detention levels stay within ICE's current budget," she said in a statement.
"All of these individuals remain in removal proceedings. Priority for detention remains on serious criminal offenders and other individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety," she added.
That move prompted an incredulous reaction from House Speaker John Boehner, who said on CBS the release of detainees was "outrageous."
"This is very hard for me to believe, that they can't find cuts elsewhere in their agency," Boehner said, adding: "I'm looking for more facts but I can't believe that they can't find the kind of savings they need out of that department short of letting criminals go free."
Republican leaders have criticized Obama administration warnings as scare tactics, but also said the cuts would be bad policy and should be changed. Only rigid fiscal conservatives have backed the concept of mandatory deep spending cuts as a painful first step of deficit reduction.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/27/white-house-was-unaware-of-immigration-detainee-release/?hpt=po_c2
So why are they so ticked off unless they are hoping for a deal still yet?
My guess is that it is part of their relentless attempt to cast Obama in a negative light. It is funny considering the shenanigans they are up to.
My guess is that it is part of their relentless attempt to cast Obama in a negative light. It is funny considering the shenanigans they are up to.
Im sorry, this one tickles my funny bone. Not that all these people were released mind you but that republicans are so hysterical about it all. I mean, does it really matter if it happened today or waited until friday? So why are they so ticked off unless they are hoping for a deal still yet?
I appreciate that you are behaving respectfully and asking sensible questions el, it really makes it possible to consider what your saying.
Clinton was able to work with the Republicans, it is true, but I don't believe they gave him such grief about taxes. I think he had more sensible republicans to work with.
Reagan raised taxes on the rich too.
I really don't know but it makes me wonder if it is not personal...*why* are they fighting him so hard? It really does not make sense.
El, I believe that Obama is a moderate, that he is in fact more conservative than Clinton, so what is this really about?
Have the Corporate fat cats got the conservatives in their pockets?
Does Obama want it to fail because he too is really a conservative and feels he has to make these cuts, but will blame the Republicans for it?
I don't know what is going on but it is playing out for us all right now.
Clinton was able to work with the Republicans, it is true, but I don't believe they gave him such grief about taxes. I think he had more sensible republicans to work with.
Reagan raised taxes on the rich too.
I really don't know but it makes me wonder if it is not personal...*why* are they fighting him so hard? It really does not make sense.
El, I believe that Obama is a moderate, that he is in fact more conservative than Clinton, so what is this really about?
Have the Corporate fat cats got the conservatives in their pockets?
Does Obama want it to fail because he too is really a conservative and feels he has to make these cuts, but will blame the Republicans for it?
I don't know what is going on but it is playing out for us all right now.
And by "you people", i'm not referring to this post and comments specifically. I'm just speaking "in general" (all topics, comments, posts).
I should probably start to drink the kool-aid, then my head won't hurt as much listening to you people.
How is nothing ever his fault?
Clinton had a Republican majority and worked with them.
Reagan had a Democrat majority and worked with them.
Apparently it IS possible.
Between the "we didn't know" or "it's their fault", I could probably start giving the daily press conferences!
(Bush was an idiot, so lets not get him involved with this discussion, please. Just want to nip that in the bud, before some genius blames HIM for this)
How is nothing ever his fault?
Clinton had a Republican majority and worked with them.
Reagan had a Democrat majority and worked with them.
Apparently it IS possible.
Between the "we didn't know" or "it's their fault", I could probably start giving the daily press conferences!
(Bush was an idiot, so lets not get him involved with this discussion, please. Just want to nip that in the bud, before some genius blames HIM for this)
Good...a little preview of things to come.
I don't believe the WH didn't know. It is part of the game. Do I blame them for it? No, not really, these ppl were not criminal elements, they will just go back to work and save everyone a lot of money now that they are no longer being housed, fed and transported.
I don't like the lack of honesty that I am presuming on the part of the Administration, but that is what politics is, is it not?
Easier to outrage the conservatives with a handful of deportees being freed than it is taking away the lifeline of a disabled child.
I don't believe the WH didn't know. It is part of the game. Do I blame them for it? No, not really, these ppl were not criminal elements, they will just go back to work and save everyone a lot of money now that they are no longer being housed, fed and transported.
I don't like the lack of honesty that I am presuming on the part of the Administration, but that is what politics is, is it not?
Easier to outrage the conservatives with a handful of deportees being freed than it is taking away the lifeline of a disabled child.
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