Rooney: Obama Administration “Playing Politics with Americans’ Safety”
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2013
Washington, DC – In a speech on the House floor, U.S. Representative Tom Rooney (FL-17) condemned the decision by the Obama Administration to begin releasing criminal aliens from U.S. detention centers.
“This policy not only is a short-sighted scare tactic, but it is also a completely inappropriate way to handle our nation’s fiscal problems,” Rooney said. “By releasing these criminals out into our communities, the Obama administration is playing politics with Americans’ safety.”
Text as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Obama administration, in an effort to drive home the devastating impacts of sequestration, indicated that they would begin releasing criminal aliens held in detention centers across the United States.
This policy not only is a short-sighted scare tactic, but it is also a completely inappropriate way to handle our nation’s fiscal problems.
By releasing these criminals out into our communities, the Obama administration is playing politics with Americans’ safety.
Not to mention, the Administration is placing an undue, additional burden on the already strained federal programs that have succeeded in identifying, arresting, and removing criminal aliens.
Ordering the release of criminals back into our community because their crimes aren’t “serious” enough to qualify for deportation completely ignores DHS’ core mission to address our nation’s illegal immigration problem.
We’re putting our communities at risk, stressing local law enforcement, and not saving a dime once repeat offenders find themselves back in the system.
Mr. Speaker, we are nation of laws. We would do well to remember that.
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