Press Releases

Yesterday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the Department will review all 300,000 deportation cases pending in immigration courts to prioritize the deportation of criminal aliens over those who pose no threat to the public.  House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement in response to this announcement: 

“Yesterday’s announcement from Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, is just plain common sense,” said Conyers.  “Law enforcement agencies around the country make decisions every day about how to prioritize their efforts to maximize public safety.  The decision to focus resources on people who pose a risk to the public rather than clogging the system with people who are simply trying to support their families and contribute to their communities will benefit immigrants and Americans alike.

“I am sure we will hear complaints that this amounts to so-called “amnesty,” but let us be clear about two things:  First, this Administration’s record on immigration is one of record enforcement throughout our interior and all along our borders.  Second, prioritizing the removal of people who pose the greatest risk to the public will not provide permanent immigration relief for any veterans of our Armed Forces, students who were brought here by their parents, or spouses and parents of U.S. citizens whose cases are moved to the back of the line.  Let those who would oppose this decision explain why it is good for America to tear American families apart. I applaud the Administration’s announcement and will closely follow its implementation.

“I look forward to working with the President to build on the momentum generated by this announcement to finally fix our broken immigration system.”