ImmigrationCongressional Hispanic Caucus moves against Alabama immigration law

Representative Luis Gutierrez (D – Illinois) is stepping up his attacks against Alabama’s immigration law by seeking to enlist DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.

This week Gutierrez and other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus met with Secretary Napolitano to request that top federal immigration officials make it clear that immigration enforcement is a federal matter and out of states’ jurisdiction.

Gutierrez hopes officials will emphasize to local authorities that they will not deport illegal immigrants arrested under Alabama’s new immigration law unless they have a criminal record.

President Obama recently ordered federal immigration authorities to prioritize deportations for illegal immigrants with criminal records or pose a threat to society rather than those trying to live a peaceful life in the United States.

With only enough resources to deport roughly 400,000 people a year and an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, DHS has chosen to focus its time and energy on convicted criminals.

In the past, Napolitano told Alabama officials her agency would not help the state enforce its own immigration law. With Immigration and Customs Enforcement only processing immigrants with criminal records, Gutierrez hopes Alabama will stop arresting illegal immigrants who have not committed any crimes.

“They need to hear that federal policy takes precedence over these local laws,” Gutierrez said.

In a recent press conference, Gutierrez and other House Democrats called for Alabama’s immigration law to be declared unconstitutional or repealed.  

“Clearly it has created a lot less order and a lot more chaos,” Gutierrez said.