Brewer “appalled” at illegal immigrant release

The Department of Homeland Security has begun releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants from custody in anticipation of sequestration cuts. In response, Arizona’s Governor issued a statement condemning what she described as political posturing.

“I’m appalled to learn the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has begun to release hundreds of illegal aliens from custody, the first of potentially thousands to soon be freed under the guise of federal budget cuts,” said the Governor in a statement released Tuesday. “This is pure political posturing and the height of absurdity given that the releases are being granted before the federal ‘sequestration’ cuts have even gone into effect.”

The governor called it “a return to exactly the kind of catch-and-release procedures that have long made a mockery of our country’s immigration system. The news is especially concerning when coupled with DHS’ acknowledgment today that it may not be able to maintain operation of 34,000 immigration jail beds, as mandated by Congress.

Everyone knows the federal government must get a handle on spending, and it is well past time that the President begin working with Congress to find real budget solutions. But we cannot let public safety and the rule of law be collateral damage of the President’s failed leadership to pass a budget.”

Approximately 300 people have been released from detention centers in Arizona alone since Thursday.

ICE officials claim that the immigrants released have been placed on “an appropriate, more cost-effective form of supervised release.”

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