Feds Abandon Constitutional Duty

In a continuing show that the federal government simply does not care about securing our borders, over 1,000 Immigration and Customs officials have been reassigned to customs only, in a federal move that significantly reduces the government's ability to both secure the border and deport those who have come to this country in a manner that is in overt violation of our laws.

"[Detention and Removal] is a rapidly expanding program with the responsibility for ensuring that all removable aliens are detained in a safe environment and expeditiously removed from the United States. DRO has the responsibility for detaining and removing illegal aliens apprehended by ICE, [Customs and Border Protection] and, as resources allow, other law enforcement entities," states the Aug. 20 memo. "It is the vision of ICE for DRO to assume primary responsibility for non-investigative administrative arrests, for example, state and local law enforcement response to interdiction of immigration violators or probation and parole referrals."

Resources and manpower, however, are scarce, ICE agents say.

"They're just not there," said Jim Brown, a spokesman for American Federation of Government Employees. "Again, the bottom line is our folks are going to work this to the best of their ability, but the agency is leaving us short by not providing staff and resources. I don't think our members will be able to carry out that mission. Eventually, something is going to give."

Is there any question now that the federal government has abrogated its constitutional mandate to defend this nation against a foreign invasion?