Goodlatte Presses Department of Homeland Security on Its “Catch and Release” Policy

Administration’s enforcement priorities on paper contradict policies in practice

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today pressed top officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about its catch and release policy that directly contradicts the Obama Administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.

In March 2016, the House Judiciary Committee received information from the head of the Border Patrol union showing that DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed to Border Patrol agents the Administration’s policy of releasing recent border crossers with no intention of ever removing them. Specifically, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas stated: “Why would we [issue a Notice to Appear to] those we have no intention of deporting? We should not place someone in deportation proceedings, when the courts already have a 3-6 year backlog.”

This de facto policy contradicts the Obama Administration’s enforcement priorities issued on November 20, 2014 by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson. Under the guidelines, aliens apprehended at the border or ports of entry while attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S. are deemed a priority for removal.

In letters to DHS Secretary Johnson and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas, Chairman Goodlatte presses the department officials regarding the Administration’s contradicting policies and if Border Patrol agents are forced to release recent unlawful border crossers and not place them in removal proceedings.

Read Chairman Goodlatte’s letter to Secretary Johnson here and his letter to Deputy Secretary Mayorkas here.