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Sen. Cornyn: Recent Security Lapses Underline Need To Address Comprehensive Immigration Reform In 111th Congress
Friday, December 5, 2008
WASHINGTON–Today U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee On Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, received a briefing in Washington from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Sen. Cornyn requested the briefing in a November 19, 2008, letter to ICE following a Houston Chronicle report citing ICE’s failure to detain and immediately remove from the U.S. hundreds of dangerous criminal aliens upon their release from Harris County jails.
“I am pleased that ICE and Harris County officials are moving quickly to address my concerns. ICE informed me that they have developed an effective working relationship with Harris County and other Texas law enforcement entities to ensure all criminal aliens housed in the Harris County system are screened for immigration and criminal history. In addition, ICE assured me that they are working with State and local law enforcement to ensure that dangerous criminal aliens, repeat offenders, and felons are detained prior to removal from the United States to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens. I look forward to helping the Department of Homeland Security team up with local law enforcement throughout Texas so that we do not see a repeat of this unacceptable situation.
“While it is clear that ICE, along with State and local law enforcement in Texas, are working to address this dangerous issue, this investigation is only the latest example of why comprehensive immigration reform must be a top priority in 2009 for Congress and the incoming administration. The consequences of continued inaction are too great. President-elect Obama vowed earlier this year to make immigration reform a top priority while in office, and I hope he keeps his campaign promise. Both parties need to put politics aside and work together in a bipartisan manner to get a comprehensive bill passed next Congress. If we have the support and commitment from the President-elect, I’m optimistic a solution with broad support will be found.”
Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.
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