WASHINGTON — The senior Homeland Security Department official in charge of arresting and deporting illegal immigrants announced his resignation the same day the agency said that hundreds of people facing deportation had been released from immigration jails due to looming budget cuts, according to a resignation letter obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. The government said he had told his bosses weeks ago that he planned to retire.
Gary Mead, executive associate director over enforcement and removal operations at Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, disclosed his departure in an email to his staff Tuesday afternoon. The announcement of the release of the illegal immigrants had come earlier in the day.
President Barack Obama’s spokesman, Jay Carney, said Wednesday that the decision to release the immigrants was made without any input from the White House. He described the immigrants as “low-risk, non-criminal detainees.”
The announcement that a few hundred illegal immigrants were being released was among the most significant and direct implications described so far by the Obama administration about the pending, automatic budget cuts that will take effect later this week under what is known as sequestration.
Republicans in Congress quickly criticized the decision and pressed the Homeland Security Department for details.
In an email to his staff obtained by the AP, Mead said he was leaving the agency at the end of April “with mixed emotions.” He did not say what prompted his departure. Mead did not immediately respond to an email and a telephone call.
Read More at OfficialWire . By Alicia A. Caldwell.
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Don't tell me it didn't come from the white house when letters to the state said this was going to happen.It was the white house muslim terrorist that let them go.How many of these illegals are from other countries like pakistan and hamas terrorist that are arrested merely for crossing the borders.They came here to join up with the 35 training camps that are operating in the US.Known terrorist camps that the DOJ refuses to do anything about.If ovomit didn't want his bluff to sequestration to happen then why would he release criminals onto our cities.To make a point?I don't think so,This is treason of the highest order and in your face.
Dan your right no head of an ICE dept would dare let illegals go without given orders from the Black House or that big lezie Janet Incompatano.however they found a patsy who took the bullet for Obutthole
I wonder which of the stories is right.
Is oblameo only arresting illegal aliens that commit criminal acts or all illegal aliens?
That means ALL of the illegal aliens released are serious criminals that should be behind bars with thousands more to come.
I feel for the safety of those in Texas and Arizona.
Sheriff Arpaio needs to get better soon. They need him now more than ever.