Level 1 criminal illegal immigrants are being released on the streets due to President Obama’s policy on immigration and border enforcement. The news of these releases was verified March 13 by Executive Associate Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan at an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on ICE’s budget.  Upon questioning of the issue by Chairman Carter, Homan responded by saying “It’s gotten to the point where it’s a community safety issue because level ones and twos are walking out of jails without attention from ICE, so it is a concern of ours. We need some changes.”

“Recently publications reported that in 2013 ICE agents encountered 193,357 illegal immigrants with criminal convictions and released more than 67,800,” said Congressman Carter, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. “While I am still waiting for verification on these statistics from ICE, preliminary reports coupled by the testimony in the ICE Budget hearing more than infuriates me.”

“Last month I heard from ICE Deputy Director Dan Ragsdale himself that President Obama’s policies are causing lack of enforcement in our immigration laws. Without proper enforcement from ICE, jails are releasing dangerous illegal immigrants on our streets and in our neighborhoods. These reports are more than troublesome, they flat out violate the law,” said Congressman Carter.

“I will not stop investigating this problem until it is solved. The President’s policies are putting the American public in danger and continue to verify his reckless abandonment for the rule of law.  The strict oversight of the Congress must prevail and enforcement measures must be followed so the American public remains confident in their safety.”

Level 1 criminals are individuals who have been convicted of major drug offenses, national security crimes, and violent crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and kidnapping; Level 2 individuals have been convicted of minor drug and property offenses such as burglary, larceny, fraud and money laundering; Level 3 individuals have been convicted of other offenses.

Click here to view the House Appropriations Budget Hearing on ICE