New York Times (Letter to the Editor) by Rep. Lamar Smith: The House Judiciary Committee has the responsibility to oversee the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws. The Obama administration not only refuses to enforce all immigration laws, but also goes beyond common sense to accommodate illegal and criminal immigrants.
The Obama administration has made a joke out of federal detention by dramatically expanding rights and privileges to illegal and criminal immigrants in federal custody. While access to necessary and lifesaving medical care should be provided to everyone in federal custody, excessive privileges and questionable services should not be included.
But that is exactly what the Obama administration has done. Under its new detention standards, detainees now have access to libraries with free Internet access, cable TV, an indoor gym with basketball courts, soccer fields, and sand and nets for beach volleyball. In addition to paying for these amenities, American taxpayers have to foot the bill for many questionable services, such as hormone therapy for transgender detainees and counseling and transportation costs for elective abortions.
The United States prides itself on treating people with the utmost dignity and respect. But the Obama administration has decided to upgrade accommodations for detained illegal and criminal immigrants. While we would all like to be upgraded, we don’t have the luxury of billing American taxpayers or making federal law enforcement agents our concierge. The Obama administration should put the interests of American taxpayers ahead of those of illegal and criminal immigrants.
LAMAR SMITH
Washington, March 29, 2012
The writer, a Republican from Texas, is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
The Obama administration has made a joke out of federal detention by dramatically expanding rights and privileges to illegal and criminal immigrants in federal custody. While access to necessary and lifesaving medical care should be provided to everyone in federal custody, excessive privileges and questionable services should not be included.
But that is exactly what the Obama administration has done. Under its new detention standards, detainees now have access to libraries with free Internet access, cable TV, an indoor gym with basketball courts, soccer fields, and sand and nets for beach volleyball. In addition to paying for these amenities, American taxpayers have to foot the bill for many questionable services, such as hormone therapy for transgender detainees and counseling and transportation costs for elective abortions.
The United States prides itself on treating people with the utmost dignity and respect. But the Obama administration has decided to upgrade accommodations for detained illegal and criminal immigrants. While we would all like to be upgraded, we don’t have the luxury of billing American taxpayers or making federal law enforcement agents our concierge. The Obama administration should put the interests of American taxpayers ahead of those of illegal and criminal immigrants.
LAMAR SMITH
Washington, March 29, 2012
The writer, a Republican from Texas, is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
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