A Record Number of Illegal Immigrants Deported
According to a recent report issued by the Department of Homeland Security, authorities in the United States deported nearly 400,000 immigrants over the course of the last year, a record number. Approximately half of the individuals deported were convicted criminals. This was also a record high number, according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The subject of illegal immigration has recently reached a fever pitch. Across the country, a number of states have enacted laws for the purposes of cracking down on illegal immigration as they claim the federal government has failed to adequately address the issue. In Arizona, SB 1070 has received widespread attention as well as criticism from around the country. Opponents of the legislation are concerned that it might lead to racial profiling and harassment. Central provisions of the law were subsequently stayed by a federal judge.

Hot Topic
The issue of illegal immigration has reached such epic proportions that in some Congressional races, especially in the Southwest, the position of a candidate regarding the Arizona law has come to be seen as a type of litmus test for numerous voters. This remains especially true among Republican voters. The recent report indicating record numbers of illegal immigrants have been deported over the last year has been indicated by Ms. Napolitano as a reflection of the current administration's shift to a focus that is more strongly centered on removing individuals who pose a threat to the safety of others.

Secure Communities
The increase in deportations of criminals resulted in part from a program known as Secure Communities. Under the program, local law enforcement officers are allowed to check the immigration status of every individual who is booked into a local or county jail. This includes American citizens. The identity check is performed by comparing the fingerprints of persons who have been arrested against fingerprints in DHS databases. The program was first initiated in Harris County, Texas in 2008. Harris County is home to Houston, one of the largest cities in the state. Since that time, the program has expanded to include approximately 660 cities and counties around the country. The sheriff of Harris County has reported that since the program was first started, officers have identified in excess of 20,000 immigrants within the Harris county jail system who were eligible for deportation. Approximately one-third of the individuals with criminal backgrounds who have been deported were found to have committed serious crimes that included murder, major drug offenses and rape, according to figures released by DHS. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has conducted more than 2,200 I-9 audits at businesses around the country for the purpose of checking for undocumented workers. Criminal charges have been brought against a total of 180 employers, while fines of more than $50 million have been levied. DHS officials have stated that many of the immigrants deported over the course of the last year had not committed a crime, but had either recently illegally crossed the border or were fugitives of immigration courts.