DHS increases capacity to detain, deport illegal immigrants

The Bush administration is ramping up its ability to detain and deport illegal immigrants caught trying to enter the country.

The Homeland Security Department announced this week that it has expanded to all border areas a program that allows immigration enforcement agents to more quickly deport illegal aliens. The expedited removal program was previously operating at all U.S. ports of entry and along the Southwest border, and now will be extended to the Canadian border and all coastal areas.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said the program is part of the department's Secure Border Initiative. The department ultimately envisions SBI as having three integrated components: improved border security, strong interior enforcement to go after illegal aliens and employers who knowingly hire them, and a temporary worker program allowing migrants to enter the country legally.

"We have seen success in deterring illegal border crossers since expedited removal was implemented throughout the Southwest," Chertoff said. "Implementing this process along all borders will provide DHS agents and officers with an additional tool to protect our nation's boundaries and quickly remove those who entered our country illegally."

DHS will use expedited removal on illegal immigrants who have spent 14 days or less in the United States, and are either apprehended within 100 miles of the border with Mexico or Canada, or arrive by sea and are apprehended within 100 miles of a coastal border area. Aliens who have a credible fear of persecution or torture will have the opportunity to present their case before an immigration judge.

In related news, the Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract last month worth up to $385 million to Kellogg, Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, to build emergency detention and processing facilities for illegal immigrants.

Under the contract, the company will build facilities that can help the DHS' Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau "in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs," according to a company statement.

The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a one-year base period, followed by four one-year options.

"The contract may also provide migrant detention support to other U.S. government organizations in the event of an immigration emergency, as well as the development of a plan to react to a national emergency, such as a natural disaster," the company said. "In the event of a natural disaster, the contractor could be tasked with providing housing for ICE personnel performing law enforcement functions in support of relief efforts."