Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin
The effects of the sequester are underway even before the deadline passes. In anticipation of budget cuts, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement released hundreds of prisoners because they would not be able to afford their housing.
The agency said they only released prisoners who were low-risk and non-criminal, and that it was necessary to keep their facilities within budget. ICE officials said the immigrants remain supervised and will still be subject to deportation.
In a news briefing Wednesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the decision was out of the administration’s hands.
“This was a decision made by career officials at ICE, without any input from the White House, as a result of fiscal uncertainty over the continuing resolution, as well as possible sequester.” Carney said.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Austin, sent a letter to ICE Director John Morton expressing his concern.
“This decision reflects the lack of resource prioritization within the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is indicative of the Department’s weal stance on national security,” McCaul wrote.
In his letter, McCaul requests the number of individuals released, the reason for their detention, and the geographic breakdown of where the detainees are located.
McCaul said he is concerned the releases were undertaken without proper notification, and is requesting details no later than March 6, 2013.