WHITE HOUSE DIRECTIVE REQUIRES ICE AGENTS TO OBTAIN HIGH-LEVEL APPROVAL BEFORE ARRESTING FUGITIVES

According to an article on cbsnews.com:  “The government’s Oct. 31 directive was ‘effective immediately and until further notice,’ and required that immigration agents obtain approval from ICE field office directors or deputy directors before arresting fugitives.  An approval would depend on an internal review that would consider, among other issues, ‘any potential for negative media or congressional interest.’”

I just came across this article today and find it interesting that media interest is a factor in deciding who ICE will arrest.  Does it not seem that some of the raids late in the Bush administration were motivated by the media and wrong-headed political motives?  The tone that the media together with the previous administration allowed to dominate the immigration debate has had far-reaching consequences for all immigrants, documented or otherwise.  Let us hope that President Obama will implement policies that are more humane while we await Comprehensive Immigration Reform later this year or in 2010.     

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