U.S. Representative Ed Royce

Rep. Royce's column appears today on the popular California conservative website The FlashReport.

Currently our border state communities face crime rates at unprecedented levels. As disturbing as it may sound, the federal government - whose core mission is safeguarding its citizens – is not just ignoring this problem, it is compounding it.  

The policy in question, a result of judicial decisions over time, is regarding legal privileges afforded to illegal aliens who have served their sentence after being found guilty of a crime. Convicted aliens are freed six months after the completion of their sentence when logistical issues in their deportation arise. 

A criminal illegal alien has committed two crimes: entering the country illegally and violating a certain law.  

And given the damage caused by a policy of releasing criminal aliens, I have cosponsored The Keep Our Communities Safe Act. This legislation stops the release of dangerous criminal illegal aliens back into American communities.  

Due to lack of cooperation between the detained alien and their respective foreign government, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with no other options available, occasionally detain aliens longer than six months until their deportation is arranged.  

Governments of most foreign countries accept the return of their citizens. However, some refuse to, or substantially delay their return citing reluctance in repatriating a citizen with a criminal record. Among countries of concern for ICE: China, Iran, Pakistan and Somalia. 

Over the years, the government has released criminal aliens who have committed assault, fraud, homicide kidnapping and sexual offenses. The tragic incident of Abel Arango provides one frightening example out of many. 

Arango, an illegal alien from Cuba, was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to four years in Florida prison. After the completion of his prison term, deportation efforts failed at the behest of the Cuban government and Arango was subsequently freed. During this judicially granted freedom, Arango murdered a Fort Meyers police officer when responding to a domestic dispute. 

Since 2009, over 12,000 aliens have been released under the terms of court decisions. A Department of Justice audit found that out of 100 criminal aliens, 73 had an average of six arrests each after being released. 

As the Chief of Police for the Fort Myers Police Department in Florida has said, "Just because a criminal immigrant cannot be returned to their home country does not mean they should be freed into our communities. Immigrant criminals should be detained and deported." 

When ICE, state, and local law enforcement are attempting to drink from the proverbial fire hose, Congress and the Administration need to step up and assist. The most pressing flaws in our immigration system cannot be ignored because broad immigration reform eludes Washington. The courts recognize the dangers arising from their own decisions, and suggested Congress correct the issue legislatively. The Keep Our Communities Safe Act is that correction.