Napolitano: New deportation rules not 'free pass'

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Monday night new rules allowing many illegal immigrants who were facing deportation despite having no criminal record to stay and apply for a work permit won't be a "free pass" to citizenship.

Napolitano said that the rules she announced last week to focus on deporting illegal immigrants who are criminals or pose a threat are already being implemented. Napolitano said the rules are aimed at giving more clarity to deportation and immigration policy.

"They're very common sense and they're meant to say that as we deal with deportations and removals we have got to focus on those who are highest priorities," such as repeat violators and convicted criminals, Napolitano told reporters after speaking in downtown Little Rock.

Napolitano announced the plan last week in a letter to a group of senators who support revamping the immigration system. The change has faced criticism from some Republicans who have said it amounts to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Under the change, approximately 300,000 deportation cases pending in immigration court will be reviewed case by case. Napolitano said she didn't consider the shift a major evolution in the federal government's policy, but rather a clarification.

"Nobody's getting a free pass. Nobody's getting free admission to citizenship or anything like that under this system," Napolitano said. "Nobody is getting exempted."

Napolitano spoke in Little Rock as part of the Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture series hosted by the Clinton Foundation and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Napolitano's department was created in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and she said that currently officials don't have any information about plots that are planned as the 10th anniversary of those attacks approaches.

"We have no specific or credible intelligence about an attack contemplated on 9/11, but that doesn't mean we are ignoring that possibility," she told reporters. "It is somewhat of an iconic date both for the survivors and victims but also for terrorists and so forth. We are doing a fair amount working with local and law enforcement to make everyone is prepared leading up to the anniversary and afterwards."

During her speech and question-and-answer session with the audience, Napolitano said she hoped to see the type of unity and sense of public service that followed those attacks.