Immigration deportation cases could lessen under federal policy change
A new federal policy could lessen by thousands the number of cases pending in the nation's immigration courts, reducing a caseload that's increased nearly 80 percent in Oklahoma over the past four years.
A shift in federal policy could lessen by thousands the number of cases pending in the nation's immigration courts. This would reduce a caseload that's increased nearly 80 percent in Oklahoma over the past four years.
John Morton, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, circulated a memo last week outlining a new policy to not prosecute and deport non-U.S. citizens with pending visa applications who are likely to receive them.
Critics have called the move "backdoor amnesty," a term federal immigration officials and many experts deny.
"We are not giving a pass or engaging in amnesty," said Brian Hale, public affairs director for the agency. "In a world of limited resources, we have to pursue rational priorities."
He said the focus will remain on criminals who are a danger to the country. This year 170,000 illegal aliens convicted of crimes have been deported.
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