Federal immigration reform is a must

Today, the Deseret News offers the last installment of the three-part series on the deportation of illegal immigrants.

The stories are told through the eyes of those most affected by deportation — the Immigration Customs and Enforcement officers who arrest illegal immigrants, convicted criminals and otherwise; attorneys who represent them in court; the detainees themselves, as well as their families, who face uncertain futures once their loved ones are deported.

Some of the people facing deportation came to the United States as small children or infants. They grew up here and have had no experience with their "home" nations. They face tremendous uncertainty — and dangers — once sent to countries where they may have limited, if any, family support system.

These stories speak to the complicated nature of the issue of illegal immigration. They speak to the need for a comprehensive federal policy that addresses national security, creates a sensible mechanism for families and workers to enter the country lawfully, and deals with the millions of illegal immigrants now living in the United States.

Because Congress has failed to make illegal immigration a front-burner issue, states are passing laws or considering legislation to supplement enforcement activities. The frustration of the states is perfectly understandable. But as the Deseret News series illustrates, enforcement of federal immigration laws is a federal responsibility. Piecemeal state laws will only complicate matters.

The federal government has limited resources but is reportedly deporting record numbers of illegal immigrants. Some 400,000 people could be deported this year, according to a Washington Post report. Nearly half have criminal convictions, ranging from driving without a license to major felonies.

Locally, Deseret News reporters found that ICE officers cast a wide net when conducting enforcement activities. That means that some undocumented men and women who have no or relatively minor criminal records or who may have overstayed visas are arrested and deported along with illegal immigrants with extensive criminal histories.

Seemingly the resources would be better spent ferreting out the most dangerous criminals — some of whom prey on and exploit law-abiding undocumented workers because they know they will not report crimes to police for fear of deportation. A recent memo from ICE director John Morton, however, advises agents to focus "principal attention" on felons and repeat lawbreakers.

These are large public-policy questions that require an intensive review of current law and practices leading up to extensive reform of federal legislation.

There is some evidence that the federal government is making headway in deporting the most egregious criminal offenders, but federal authorities need more tools and resources to develop what Morton calls a "rational" immigration policy. Congress simply must make this a priority.