Just 6 sign up for self-deportation in 1st week
By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN, Associated Press Writer Thu Aug 14, 7:10 PM ET
TUCSON, Ariz. - Just six illegal immigrants volunteered to leave the United States in the first week of a pilot program inviting nearly a half-million people to self-deport, federal officials said.
The six who signed up by Wednesday evening included an Estonian in Phoenix, a married Indian couple and a Guatemalan in Chicago, a Salvadoran in Charlotte, N.C., and a Mexican in San Diego, said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program in San Diego.
Program participants get three months to wrap up their personal affairs and peace of mind that agents won't raid their homes. It's a less disruptive option than arrest and jailing by immigration agents that track fugitives at homes or workplaces, officials said.
More than 450,000 illegal immigrants who lack criminal records but have ignored court orders to leave the country are eligible. It is available in five cities so far: Santa Ana, Calif., San Diego, Chicago, Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C.
ICE said the program will be evaluated once it ends Aug. 22 to decide whether it has any future, but critics have snickered at the idea.
"I feel like its 'success' rate speaks for itself," said Jennifer Allen, executive director of the Tucson-based immigrant rights advocacy group Border Action Network. She said the number of immigrants that volunteered "speaks to its utility and relevance."
"People have taken many risks and made many sacrifices to be here, and just because ICE says 'Come here,' they aren't going to leave everything behind," she said.
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On the Net:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov
