Washington, Feb 15, 2006 -

U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff about reforms to the current “catch and release” policy during today’s hearing of the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security.  DHS has committed to ending the process of “catch and release,” and instead enforcing “catch and return.”   Congressman Carter asked Secretary Chertoff to confirm that all non-Mexican illegal immigrants who are eligible for “catch and return” would be returned to their country regardless of where they were later detained. 

“Clearly the ‘catch and release’ of illegal immigrants is an alarming practice, and we are working to change this policy immediately,” Congressman Carter said. “One way we can help alleviate this process is through additional beds in our detention facilities. DHS has requested $400 million to fund 6,700 additional detention beds so we might ‘catch and return’ illegal immigrants to their home countries. I will continue to support funding for initiatives such as these that will secure the Texas-Mexico border and protect Americans.” 

In January, Congressman Carter traveled to the Texas-Mexico border with Secretary Chertoff. The trip was the Secretary’s first visit to the Texas-Mexico border, and it gave him a better understanding of the challenges and dangers facing our border communities.