Napolitano Stands By Large Deportation Figures

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the current administration’s record on illegal immigration during a speech today on the campus of American University in Washington, DC.

Napolitano said that amid varying reactions and inconsistent reports, “it’s time for a reality check when it comes to talking about immigration enforcement.” She directly addressed concerns about border control, explaining that the advanced security measures implemented under President Obama should disprove the “border is out of control” myth.

Napolitano acknowledged that the U.S. expects to deport a record number of illegal immigrants in 2011. In 2010, the U.S. deported an estimated 400,000 illegal immigrants. It is believed that between 10-to-15 million illegals remain in the country.

Shen then focused her talk on the increasingingly controversial illegal immigration policy that prioritizes which immigrants are deported. Instead of random workplace raids, the focus of authorities, she said, will shift to “convicted criminals, recent border crossers, egregious immigration law violators and immigration fugitives” in order to “promote the integrity of our immigration laws.”

“It makes sense to prioritize our finite resources on removing a Mexican citizen who is wanted for murder in his home country ahead of a Mexican national who is the sole provider for his American citizen spouse,” Napolitano said.

The former Arizona Governor also addressed recent concerns and complaints about Secure Communities, a program that helps Immigration and Customs Enforcement identify previously arrested illegal immigrants. She argued that despite a rocky beginning, Secure Communities has been “the single best tool” for capturing illegal immigrants.

Napolitano later urged Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform.