(NAME-MCE) Over 100, 000 parents whose children are U.S. citizens deported since 1998

[Bill Howe]

Over 100,000 parents whose children are U.S. citizens deported since 1998


According to an Associated Press story published in the Boston Globe, an
investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general
found immigration officials deported 108,434 parents with children who are
U.S. citizens during 1998 to 2007. The number may not be complete because
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Homeland Security
Department, does not keep detailed data on deported parents of children who
are U.S. citizens. It is also unknown how many children the parents had,
whether they left them behind and how many of the children were minors. ICE
says it will study whether it can gather more information on parents it
deports. The agency expects to issue its findings in about two months. Rep.
Jose Serrano, D-NY, has filed a bill, the Child Citizen Protection Act, that
would allow immigration judges to consider whether the immigrants are
parents of children who are U.S. citizens. ICE spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez
said the agency would review whether to establish procedures to ascertain
whether deported immigrants have children under the age of 18 who are U.S.
citizens. But she also noted the potential negative impact of giving
reprieve to immigrants who have violated U.S. laws.


Boston Globe, 2/14/09, By Suzanne Gamboa (AP)