Delegate Bob Marshall
Southern Border Crisis Alert
Between October, 2013 and May, 2014 more than 47,000 unaccompanied minors, mostly Central Americans, crossed our border without authorization and over 100,000 more are expected by the end of the year. Unlike illegal entrants from Mexico or Canada who can be legally deported immediately by our Border Patrol without a hearing, persons from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, etc. must be given a hearing before deportation under a Bush-era law.
Foreign Governments Undermine US Immigration Law
The presidents of Mexico and Guatemala have agreed to expedite safe and assisted 72 hour passage for even more unaccompanied minors and adults to travel across Mexico so they may illegally enter the U.S.
Reuters News reported (6/20/14) that an aide to the president of Honduras stated at a meeting in Guatemala City attended by Vice President Biden, that, "...'As long as (U.S.) immigration reform is not approved, the exodus of children to the United States will continue,'"
Foreign Governments Undermine US Immigration Law
The presidents of Mexico and Guatemala have agreed to expedite safe and assisted 72 hour passage for even more unaccompanied minors and adults to travel across Mexico so they may illegally enter the U.S.
Reuters News reported (6/20/14) that an aide to the president of Honduras stated at a meeting in Guatemala City attended by Vice President Biden, that, "...'As long as (U.S.) immigration reform is not approved, the exodus of children to the United States will continue,'"
Obama Administration Non-Response
Rather than increase Border Patrol or establish National Guard presence on our 1900 mile border with Mexico, (as Texas Governor Rick Perry is now doing) the Obama Administration is preparing for long term stays by illegal entrants and is seeking to house growing numbers of unauthorized immigrants in upscale hotels across the U.S. through contracts to various church groups and non-profits.
The San Jose Mercury-News (7-29-24) reports, "Along with dealing with the flood of children traveling alone, the Border Patrol has also arrested more than 55,000 people traveling as families, mostly mothers with young children. Because of a lack of detention space many of those people have been released with a notice to report back to immigration authorities at a later date. The Obama administration has repeatedly declined to say how many people have been released and how many have reported as ordered."
This Administration calls the influx a new crisis. However, they have been soliciting contractors to feed and house tens of thousands of undocumented children for some time. Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, disclosed recently that he had been approached by the Obama Administration for assistance. "A few weeks ago, the Regional Office of HHS asked us (and several other states) whether we could and would temporarily shelter some of these children while they are processed under our law for deportation or for reuniting with their families in the States. The request was for up 90,000 square feet of space to use for up to 4 months to accommodate up to 1,000 stranded children. The types of facilities sought by HHS and FEMA ranged from military bases to unused shopping malls."
The San Jose Mercury-News (7-29-24) reports, "Along with dealing with the flood of children traveling alone, the Border Patrol has also arrested more than 55,000 people traveling as families, mostly mothers with young children. Because of a lack of detention space many of those people have been released with a notice to report back to immigration authorities at a later date. The Obama administration has repeatedly declined to say how many people have been released and how many have reported as ordered."
This Administration calls the influx a new crisis. However, they have been soliciting contractors to feed and house tens of thousands of undocumented children for some time. Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, disclosed recently that he had been approached by the Obama Administration for assistance. "A few weeks ago, the Regional Office of HHS asked us (and several other states) whether we could and would temporarily shelter some of these children while they are processed under our law for deportation or for reuniting with their families in the States. The request was for up 90,000 square feet of space to use for up to 4 months to accommodate up to 1,000 stranded children. The types of facilities sought by HHS and FEMA ranged from military bases to unused shopping malls."
I wrote Governor McAuliffe urging him to identify Virginians who are qualified to act as Administrative Law Judges (magistrates, retired or substitute state judges, members of the Virginia Bar) to assist ICE in quickly determining the status of those who illegally entered the U.S. through our southern border. This is important because many who arrive hope that the federal delays become de facto legal status or at least allow stays of several years.
I also asked two Congressmen for documents from our State Department regarding the true number of actual refugee applications our Central American embassies have received. In the past year, Virginia relocated approximately 2,100 persons determined to be bona fide refugees by our foreign embassies from countries worldwide.
I also asked two Congressmen for documents from our State Department regarding the true number of actual refugee applications our Central American embassies have received. In the past year, Virginia relocated approximately 2,100 persons determined to be bona fide refugees by our foreign embassies from countries worldwide.
ACTION ITEM # 1
Please contact Governor McAuliffe and urge him to identify qualified individuals in Virginia (retired or substitute judges, magistrates, attorneys) to help serve as Administrative Law Judges to clear the backlog of deportation hearings. Virginia judges with local roots in the community are more likely to administer federal asylum laws and regulations fairly and without undo influence from the Obama Administration than invisible administrators hired by Washington.
Also, urge Governor McAuliffe to ask fellow Governors to do the same in their states.
Also, urge Governor McAuliffe to ask fellow Governors to do the same in their states.
ACTION ITEM # 2 - State Construction of a Security Fence
Please contact the Governors of the Border States with Mexico, and ask them to build National Security fences in their states just as Israel did to significantly reduce terrorist incursions. If you have friends living in these states please urge them to contact their governors as well. I wrote all four border state governors in 2010 urging them do this since Congress has not done so. Unfortunately, none wrote back.
You can contact the Governors of the Border States by going to the links below:
Governor of Texas
Governor of New Mexico
Governor of Arizona
Governor of California
Dangers to the Community and to Unaccompanied Minors
As a father and grandfather, it greatly concerns me that parents having difficulty supporting their children would be willing to send their children away. However, our emotional reaction must not substitute for prudential judgment.
Immigration officials are clearly overwhelmed by the numbers of background checks they must do to prevent gang members and terrorists from crossing our southern border. Furthermore, if children can so easily illegally enter the USA, so can terrorists. The Obama Administration testified on July 22, 2010, before a House of Representatives Subcommittee that terrorists and persons from watch list countries were coming across the Southern Border. How many more are taking advantage of the chaos at the border now?
The Washington Times (5/14/14) cites documentation compiled by the Center for Immigration Studies that in 2013 Obama's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials freed 36,007 convicted criminal aliens (felonies and misdemeanors) from jail who were awaiting the outcome of deportation proceedings. They had accumulated nearly 88,000 convictions.
Overwhelmed federal officials could also allow minors to be "claimed" by individuals who could exploit them in prostitution, drug activities or slave wage jobs. How many will be recruited by gangs? How many gang members are coming in to the US? Who verifies that parents actually arranged for their children to leave home?
Immigration officials are clearly overwhelmed by the numbers of background checks they must do to prevent gang members and terrorists from crossing our southern border. Furthermore, if children can so easily illegally enter the USA, so can terrorists. The Obama Administration testified on July 22, 2010, before a House of Representatives Subcommittee that terrorists and persons from watch list countries were coming across the Southern Border. How many more are taking advantage of the chaos at the border now?
The Washington Times (5/14/14) cites documentation compiled by the Center for Immigration Studies that in 2013 Obama's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials freed 36,007 convicted criminal aliens (felonies and misdemeanors) from jail who were awaiting the outcome of deportation proceedings. They had accumulated nearly 88,000 convictions.
Overwhelmed federal officials could also allow minors to be "claimed" by individuals who could exploit them in prostitution, drug activities or slave wage jobs. How many will be recruited by gangs? How many gang members are coming in to the US? Who verifies that parents actually arranged for their children to leave home?
ACTION ITEM # 3
Please contact your congressman and urge him to take action to secure our borders and also to change the 2008 law prohibiting immediate deportation of persons. Religious Service Groups Targeted
Yesterday, President Obama, with Governor Terry McAuliffe and numerous LGBT activists standing by his side in the White House, signed an executive order (7-21-14) claiming vague authority under the US Constitution, to require all federal contractors and sub-contractors to hire applicants regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Obama had been asked by Faith groups, including many of his supporters, to provide an exemption for religious groups. Obama, in a stunning display of intolerance, defied them to side with activists who will now be able to initiate workplace law suits against church agencies.
The implementation of Obama's immigration policies depends greatly on the co-operation of religious organizations which have received literally hundreds of millions in federal dollars for refugee resettlement and services. Now that the Federal Government has all these contracts with religious agencies they are going to force them to violate their religious beliefs in their hiring practices. Will Obama, if religious leaders balk, back away from his executive order? Will religious leaders choose to accept this assault on their Faith or morals and continue accepting federal dollars?
Conclusion
I was reliably informed a few years ago about a woman working in a cleaning crew in a Manassas building. She did not come to America legally, and she was extorted to have sex with her supervisor who threatened to turn her over to authorities. The victim refused to report this to authorities. How many of these children will be the victims of human traffickers and other people looking to exploit them in this same way?
If we really care about children we would not want harm to come to them. Facilitating the present lawless entry is harmful. Thank you for caring about children and the security of our homes, communities and nation.
If you'd like more information about the Southern Border Crisis please check out my latest post on my website. Yesterday, President Obama, with Governor Terry McAuliffe and numerous LGBT activists standing by his side in the White House, signed an executive order (7-21-14) claiming vague authority under the US Constitution, to require all federal contractors and sub-contractors to hire applicants regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Obama had been asked by Faith groups, including many of his supporters, to provide an exemption for religious groups. Obama, in a stunning display of intolerance, defied them to side with activists who will now be able to initiate workplace law suits against church agencies.
The implementation of Obama's immigration policies depends greatly on the co-operation of religious organizations which have received literally hundreds of millions in federal dollars for refugee resettlement and services. Now that the Federal Government has all these contracts with religious agencies they are going to force them to violate their religious beliefs in their hiring practices. Will Obama, if religious leaders balk, back away from his executive order? Will religious leaders choose to accept this assault on their Faith or morals and continue accepting federal dollars?
Conclusion
I was reliably informed a few years ago about a woman working in a cleaning crew in a Manassas building. She did not come to America legally, and she was extorted to have sex with her supervisor who threatened to turn her over to authorities. The victim refused to report this to authorities. How many of these children will be the victims of human traffickers and other people looking to exploit them in this same way?
If we really care about children we would not want harm to come to them. Facilitating the present lawless entry is harmful. Thank you for caring about children and the security of our homes, communities and nation.
Thank you for your help!
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