[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     VIRGINIA NEEDS AMERICA'S HELP

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the State of Virginia has had it with 
illegals feeding off of their State and want them sent back to their 
homeland.
  So, Virginia is asking the Federal Government for help. Seeking funds 
and training available for States under the 287(g) program. This 
Federal program trains local and State law enforcement in immigration 
laws. Virginia aims to train every staffer at jails across the State on 
how to check immigration statuses and deport illegals.
  But when the State asked the Federal Government for help, the 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, said no. The reason: ICE says 
it lacks resources, including funding and personnel, to make that 
commitment to Virginia.
  Currently, there are 22 State and local agencies that have entered 
into agreements with ICE to be trained on the 287(g) programs; 65 more 
are waiting for approval. But because the Federal Government is not 
providing ICE with the necessary funds, law enforcement won't get 
trained and illegals won't get deported.
  Maybe some of the pork earmarks going to study the lifecycles of fish 
should be used in this immigration battle.
  Madam Speaker, this is absurd. Once again, illegals are getting a 
free pass to the U.S. due to the ineptitude of the Federal Government 
and its inability to cooperate with local cities that want to help stem 
the flow of illegals into our homeland.
  Madam Speaker, this ought not to be.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________