Calling the recent release of thousands of illegal immigrants from detention an affront to law-abiding American citizens, Congressman Mike Rogers called on the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton, to resign his position. Rogers’ reaction, contained in a letter mailed this week, followed the release of thousands of illegal immigrants from detention facilities across the country ahead of sequester budget cuts last week.

In his letter to Director Morton, Rogers states, ‘….Rather than reducing administrative staffing, cutting overhead, or taking other action to balance statutory detention requirements against budget mandates, ICE chose to release criminals directly onto the streets of our communities.

‘The Department's justification for this action is that these individuals will remain in a monitoring program while deportation proceedings are on-going. It baffles me that you and the Administration believe that someone who has already committed at least one crime by entering this country illegally would actually participate in a monitored release program for their own deportation.’

Rogers said today, “Morton’s latest move was the last straw for me.  It is baffling he would put potentially dangerous illegal immigrants back on the streets in communities across the country.  Americans deserve better than that and I think it is time he finds other employment.”

Rogers serves as Chairman of the Strategic Forces subcommittee on the Armed Services Committee and is a senior member of the Homeland Security and Agriculture committees.
                                                                          -###-