[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VITAL TO HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Homeland Security shouldn't be left strictly 
to the Federal Government but requires the vigilant assistance of 
State, county and city police departments. When local law enforcement 
agencies choose not to detain criminal aliens for immigration 
enforcement officials, it is like a city police officer ignoring a bank 
robbery because it is a Federal crime. That kind of head in the sand 
mentality is ridiculous and will not make our Nation safer.
  In Houston, Texas, Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas is blazing a 
path with a common sense approach to dealing with illegal aliens 
arrested for committing crimes. Sheriff Thomas recently announced that 
employees at the Harris County's Inmate Processing Center will receive 
Section 287(g) training from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement 
officials.
  This program will train deputies to identify, process and detain 
illegal aliens arrested for criminal activity in Harris County. Instead 
of catch and release, this new training will allow deputies to catch 
and begin the deportation process for criminal aliens.
  This program will help take more illegals off the streets and make 
the county safer for Texas families. For example, illegal aliens will 
no longer have the opportunity to continuously endanger lives by 
getting arrested multiple times for DWI. The deportation process will 
start in the county jail the first time they are arrested.
  Besides trespassing into our Nation, illegal aliens commit many other 
crimes such as driving without car insurance, drug trafficking, human 
smuggling, theft, burglary and murder. As a result, American citizens 
and legal immigrants end up carrying the financial burden created by 
illegal aliens such as increased medical and prison expenses.
  Empowering local law enforcement officials to start the deportation 
process immediately after an illegal alien is arrested, sends a clear 
message that international trespassing will not be tolerated. 
Protecting citizens and legal immigrants from criminal acts by illegal 
aliens is the essence of Homeland Security.
  By not passing off responsibility for dealing with criminal aliens to 
the Federal Government, like in some cities, Sheriff Tommy Thomas is 
finding solutions to reducing crime in Harris County instead of making 
excuses. He is setting an example that other agencies should follow.
  He is a great sheriff who's recent actions demonstrate that he is 
committing to protect our communities from both foreign and domestic 
criminals. It will take the leadership of other sheriffs like Thomas 
and police chiefs with the backbone to enforce all of our Nation's 
laws, instead of just the ones they prefer, for effective Homeland 
Security.
  Today, I salute Sheriff Tommy Thomas for his local efforts and 
leadership in moving Harris County, and the rest of our Nation, in the 
right direction to protect citizens and legal immigrants from criminal 
aliens.
  And that's just the way it is.

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