http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=13104666

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Letting illegal immigrants go free? Hard to believe but that could be the new federal mandate if a proposed ICE policy change is approved.

Here's the idea: If authorities pull someone over for a traffic stop and discover they are in the country illegally, authorities would be forced to let the illegal immigrant go without calling federal agents unless the individual is a convicted felon.

Even officers opposed to SB 1070 say this would set a bad precedent.

Sheriff Tony Estrada of Santa Cruz County says nothing in southern Arizona would change if the detention policy changed. He says that's because his deputies turn these kinds of cases over to Border Patrol anyway.

Just as some of the debate swirling around Arizona's new immigration law began to cool off, a possible new Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy has some mad hot.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is very upset about possible policy changes to ICE that read in part, "Immigration officers should not issue detainers against an alien charged only with a traffic-related misdemeanor unless or until the alien is convicted."

Babeu said "now it appears what they have in some draft policies and their proposal is to water down any strength in the federal law whatsoever and this is clearly in direct opposition of what the people really want."

Even Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada, who leaned strongly against SB 1070, thinks this sort of federal policy change is suspect. "It is surprising they would make that decision. I would suspect once an individual is identified as being here illegally, some process would kick in...that would deport that person," he said.

Ariz. Sen. Jon Kyl weighed in, along with Texas Sen. John Cornyn, writing this to Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano:

"Based on our review of these memos, we are concerned that these new policies would circumvent, rather than promote the enforcement of, immigration laws pertaining to illegal aliens."

Laws these politicians and law enforcement officers fear are getting a little bit too lax.

If they are here illegally they are breaking the law. I don't understand why people think that is ok. If I robbed a bank and then pleaded to be release because I just wanted a better life I am sure the judge would get a good laugh right after he sent me to jail. what about the people who are waiting to come here legally why should they have to wait so that someone who came here without permission gets to stay. Bet if I crossed the boardar into Mexico I would go to jail.

Because our Government has been taken over by a bunch of deranged lunatics who don't have a clue what they are doing.

How many times does this donkey need to be hit between the eyes with a 2 x 4 to understand at last that 'The UN', ICE, DHS, the AG, and anyone else in a position of authority to stop illegal immigration don't give a rat's asss WHAT the American public thinks about it?

Since the laws dont matter, then we can all just do what we want and there will be no consequences for it.

Our Government is out of control.The whole lot should be impeached and thrown into prison starting with Obama.

Yep, and they should be charged with Treason. Oblowme took a legal oath to uphold the laws of the United States and to defend against all enemies foreighn & domestic.

So far he's fighting the American people as his enemies, and appeasing the foriegners as his friends.

F'n traitor.

This is a complicated two-tiered issue. The first tier is the new arrivals and the second tier is the old arrivals (5+ years). Do you think both should be treated the same? Or, should we put a stop to new arrivals completely and when we are done with that problem turn our attention to the long-term squatters? I know some people that have been in California for years and years, worked hard, raised families and are really good kind people. But you and I know that there are also some really bad scumbag gansters that should be thrown out immediately before they can cause anymore trouble.

I would rather keep all the good illegals, give them a work visa and get them paying taxes and health insurance. Then give them a path to citizenship... don't make it too easy so that the folks who did it "right" have a beef. I think that would make the best humane and economic sense.

That being said, I wish this crazy government of ours would get their act together and slam the border door shut before the terrorist get a dirty bomb in the country. Not to mention all the dopers coming in... Y'all, have you seen the weapons that these drug guys have just feet from the boarder? Have you seen the human smuggling guides that cross some 80 miles into our country carrying AK-47 Assault rifles? I have friends in Arizona that live near the boarder and they are scared to death that one of these wildmen will break into their home to escape the law or to get money or a car. Heck, they have already murdered citizens and shot at boarder patrol.

Wanna 'splain how the passage of time makes an ILLEGAL any LESS illegal ... ? Does not follow logically. Yes. Treat them ALL the same. Time spent here does NOT count - except AGAINST them. And just what IS a 'good illegal' ... ? I mean, besides an oxymoron?

I agree with you.There is no real solution to this problem either way.I think anyone who has been here for over 5 years,has been working the majority of the time,and has no police record should be given legal citizen ship and allowed to stay.

All the illegal's in prison and jail should be deported.Any illegal's caught committing crimes and found guilty before the 5 years is up should be deported.Any illegal's caught crossing the border should be deported.

We have to know who is coming here.Besides all the criminals(like the MS 13 gang members)you also need to know if someone is carrying a fatal disease that could turn into a epidemic that could wipe out half of America.

Two of the 'side benefits' we've reaped from the illegals' presence here are (1) Chagas Disease being introduced into our blood supply and, (2) an increase in the number of tuberculosis cases in our ERs. There are others, but these are the two largest impactors.

i agree that it is a complicated problem...just sending them back would create a vacuum that would not have good results...do i think they should be here?? of course not...i live in arizona and for those of you who don't...it's a real eye opener, believe me. i see illegals every day. they do not make any effort to hide themselves because they know we won't do anything about it. when i go out in the morning, it is very typical to see 30+ illegals loitering on a street corner waving people down for work.

I have an idea.

Most Illegals up for deportation are getting sent back with little or no money to get by on.

The folks we need to be going after are the ones givin' them the jobs.

If an Illegal gives verifiable info on who is doing the hiring of Illegals and a bust occurs as a result, give the informant a couple grand to see him/her back home.

PS
No such thing as two-tier criminals.

That's amnesty-speak. No Amnesty!

initially that does not sound like a bad idea...however, since they are 'undocumented workers' and often (if not always) are getting paid under the table...what is to stop them from abusing the system and bringing an unwarranted conviction against a hard working innocent american? of course there will be those 'cut and dry' cases, but i just see this as opening a can of worms. The way the government is now, i can see them fighting for the illegals.