It pays to be illegal in America

[Frosty]

More of "O"no's change I'm gonna be sick

Detention Facilities to Offer Bingo, Dance Classes to Illegal Aliens
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a private prison contractor have agreed to make a number of changes at nine privately owned facilities used to detain deportable aliens. According to ICE officials, the changes – which include offering art classes, bingo and continental breakfast to “low-risk” detainees – are part of the Obama administration’s previously announced efforts “to make the immigrant detention system less penal and more humane.” (Houston Chronicle, June 8, 2010; Examiner.com, June 10, 2010; Kansas City Star, June 10, 2010;  See also FAIR’s Legislative Update, October 13, 2009). 

The forthcoming changes at the nine facilities were revealed in a May 27 ICE e-mail. They include:

“Relaxing security” by allowing “[l]ow-risk detainees” to have “freedom of movement” in the facilities and by “reducing” pat-down searches;
Eliminating “lock downs” and “lights out”;
Allowing detainees “to have visitors stay as long as they like within a 12-hour window”;
Increasing “attorney visitation space”;
Adding “un-monitored phone lines” and giving detainees “email and free, Internet-based calling”;
Providing unit managers who “will be available to take complaints directly from detainees”;
Allowing detainees “to wear their own clothing or other non-penal attire”;
Providing detainees “at least four hours of recreation daily…in a natural setting, allowing for robust aerobic exercise” ;
Offering “movie nights, bingo, arts and crafts, dance and cooking classes, tutoring, and computer training”;
“oftening the look” of the facilities “with hanging plants” and “fresh paint and new bedding”; and
Providing detainees with “more variety in their dining hall menus”, including “self-serve beverage and fresh vegetable bars.” (Houston Chronicle, June 8, 2010).
According to ICE official Beth Gibson, some of the changes to the detention system for illegal aliens will be in place within 30 days, while others may take up to six months to implement. Gibson sounded a positive note on the decision to relax existing detention standards: “When people come to our custody, we’re detaining them to effect their removal. It’s about deportation. It’s not about punishing people for a crime they committed.” (Id.).

ICE union leaders, however, have criticized the changes. Tre Rebstock, president of an ICE union in the Houston area, said that the changes would create “an all-inclusive resort” for detainees. Rebstock added that the changes would jeopardize the safety of ICE agents, facility guards, and the detainees themselves. Pointing specifically to the plans to relax restrictions on the movement of detainees, reduce pat-down searches, and eliminate lockdowns, Rebstock stated: “Our biggest concern is that someone is going to get hurt.” ICE official Gibson attempted to downplay concerns about relaxing security measures, noting that “[a]s a general matter, it will be the non-criminals who don’t present a danger to anyone else who are benefitting from the lowest level of custody.” However, Rebstock acknowledged that some detainees may be classified as low-risk because they have no serious criminal history, but could still be gang members who simply “haven’t been caught doing anything wrong yet.” (Id.).

Rebstock also lamented the fact that American taxpayers would be footing the bill for the changes: “My grandparents would have loved to have bingo night and a dance class at the retirement home they were in when they passed away, but that was something we would have had to pay for. And yet these guys are getting it on the taxpayers’ dime.” ICE official Gibson countered that a private contractor would fund the changes at no additional cost to the feds. (Id.).

ICE’s actions caught the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who sent a letter to Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton. Expressing “serious concerns” about the changes, Grassley stated: “Giving illegal aliens access to computer training and tutoring, as well as dance lessons, cooking classes and movie nights, will only encourage illegal aliens to ignore the law and take more risks to defraud our immigration system.” Grassley went on: “[T]axpayers would be very disappointed if the reports are true since they are financing detention and removal efforts. Expanding taxpayer dollars to give illegal aliens access to bingo, dance lessons, and the internet is a slap in the face to hardworking Americans who foot the bill. It’s even more frustrating given that so many Americans are unemployed and looking for work while illegal aliens are getting free tutoring and computer classes to advance their own lives.” (Grassley Letter to John Morton, June 11, 2010).

[JC5123]

I went to Websters website because I thought, maybe I've got things wrong, maybe I have the wrong definition of what illegal means.

Main Entry: 1il·le·gal
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal
Date: 1538

: not according to or authorized by law : unlawful, illicit; also : not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)



Nope, I was right. Of course then I delved into languages a little. As far as I can understand, to a citizen of the U.S. illegal means, don't do it or you will go to prison. Then I delved into the alternate reality of politicians. Here is where things go fuzzy.

Republican: Illegal means, if you get caught you will be smeared by the media, and your peers will condemn your actions. Your career will be over. You may even do jail time. Not to mention how much money it will cost you.

Democrat: Illegal means, if you get caught, you get a 12 sec blurb on the news, as the media is covering up for you, and justifying your actions. If your transgressions are severe enough you may even be investigated by other democrats involved in your scheme. (who will of course clear you of any wrongdoing) And if your illegal activities are corrupt enough, you will be thrown out of your elected seat and be given an appointed government job by the White House.

Illegal Alien: Come to America, do not work, and apply for every federal welfare program available. Take to the streets and demand that the people of this country cater to you and your culture since you refuse to assimilate. Vote Democrat, even though you are not eligible to do so. Vote Twice! They need all the help they can get! And remember, that guy with (D) behind his name is the one who won't enforce immigration law.

My apologies to all for the terrible thread drift. I didn't get much sleep last night and my brain isn't firing on all eight cylinders yet. this morning.