Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Blocked Senate Amendment to Improve Immigration Enforcement and End “Catch And Release”

Release Date: 07/14/06 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
July 14, 2006

"Since implementing the Secure Border Initiative in November 2005, DHS has taken significant steps and dedicated numerous resources toward meeting our commitment to end the practice of “catch and release.”  We have effectively achieved “catch and remove” for all removable illegal aliens apprehended along the southwest border, except for Salvadoran nationals who now account for the largest number of non-Mexican illegal aliens entering our country. This obstruction, known as the Orantes injunction, is the result of a 20 year-old court decision that today impedes the department from placing Salvadorans into expedited removal and returning them to their country of origin as soon as circumstances allow.

Earlier this week, an amendment introduced by Senator John Cornyn would have given members of the U.S. Senate the opportunity to vote to correct this and other outdated injunctions. Passage of this legislation would improve immigration enforcement and bring DHS closer to reaching our goal of ending “catch and release” once and for all. Instead, this amendment was blocked by a parliamentary procedure and denied an opportunity for vote.

The Department of Homeland Security is taking every step possible to enforce our immigration laws including to immediately end “catch and release.” However, we now need Congress to act and pass legislation that would free DHS from outdated injunctions so that we can improve enforcement. We can then take steps such as applying expedited removal to Salvadorans and thereby eliminate “catch and release” for all non-Mexicans apprehended at our borders."

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This page was last modified on 07/14/06 00:00:00