9OYS Immigration Watch
Questions surrounding detainee release continue
Reporter: Cory Marshall
TUCSON(KGUN9-TV) - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's release of more than 300 detainees from Immigration Detention Centers in Arizona has people concerned, confused and -- well -- curious. Meanwhile, ICE isn't saying much.
For the first time, people on opposite party lines are asking the same questions: Why, where and who are the detainees?
"There's a myth that these detainees are an actual threat or a potential threat to the security of this country. That hasn't been proven," said Mike Wilson, policy director at the Border Action Network.
Part of the problem is that no one is proving it.
"Priority for detention remains on serious criminal offenders and other individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety," an ICE spokesperson told 9OYS in a statement.
Tucson immigration attorney John Messing doubts those "serious criminals" are the ones back on the streets.
"That has been their policy in the past to try and make sure that they're not releasing people who are going to be a danger because the risk of an embarrassment afterwards if a crime is committed," Messing said.
"I'm quite convinced that that is the policy. Those are the marching orders," Messing continued.
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