Over 13K Illegal Immigrants with Homicide Convictions Remain Undetained, ICE Reports
More than 13,000 illegal immigrants convicted of homicide are still in the United States, despite their convictions, according to a letter sent by ICE Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), with the communication also detailing a staggering number of other convicted criminals and those facing serious charges, many of whom remain non-detained as well.
The statistics, released on Friday, have reignited debates about White House immigration policies and the deaths that have resulted, drawing sharp criticism from former President Donald Trump and House Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, as Just the News reports.
Letter Highlights Serious Concerns Over Non-Detained Offenders
Lechleitner’s letter, which was addressed to Rep. Gonzales, outlined a concerning overview of the number of non-detained illegal immigrants with criminal convictions.
Of these, 13,099 were convicted of murder, while an additional 15,811 had convictions for sexual offenses. In total, the letter revealed that 425,431 non-detained non-citizens have criminal convictions in the U.S.
The non-detained individuals include those who were apprehended at the border and later released, as well as those involved in ongoing immigration court proceedings.
This population also includes individuals with pending criminal charges -- 222,141 in total. Among those, 1,845 are facing homicide charges, while 4,250 are facing charges related to sexual assault.
Trump Criticizes Immigration Policies in Wake of Revelations
In response to the release of these statistics, Trump took to social media to voice his disapproval of the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration and border security. Trump has been a longstanding critic of the administration’s approach to immigration, especially in relation to border enforcement.
"I've been saying this from the beginning of the Harris-Biden Administration, as soon as I learned they opened the Borders," Trump posted. He emphasized that allowing such individuals to remain in the country compromises the safety of American citizens, stating, "Nobody who has allowed this to happen to our Country is fit to be President of the United States!"
Mark E. Green Adds to Criticism
House Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green also weighed in on the matter, sharing his concerns in a statement following the release of the letter. Green, a Republican from Tennessee, expressed shock over the statistics, accusing the Biden administration of endangering the safety of U.S. communities by releasing individuals with serious criminal records.
"It may be shocking to hear that the Biden-Harris administration is actively releasing tens of thousands of criminal illegal aliens into our communities, but their own numbers conclusively prove this to be the case," Green said, calling the situation "madness."
Calls for Accountability Amid Safety Concerns
Green’s criticism focused specifically on the decision to release individuals with known criminal histories. He questioned how many more Americans would need to suffer from crime before the administration takes responsibility and abides by the laws it is tasked with enforcing. "How many more Americans need to die or be victimized before this administration is forced to abide by the laws they swore to uphold?" Green asked.
According to Green, the decision to allow these individuals to remain at large despite their criminal backgrounds "defies all common sense." He noted that this issue is not just a border state problem, as these individuals are reportedly finding their way into communities across the nation.
Biden-Harris Immigration Policies Under Fire
The debate over immigration enforcement has been a central theme of the political discourse under the Biden-Harris administration. Critics, including Trump and Green, argue that the administration’s policies have allowed for a weakening of border security and law enforcement, making it easier for individuals with criminal records to enter and remain in the country.
Trump, in particular, has repeatedly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s role as the administration’s "border czar," accusing her of failing to address key issues at the border. In his latest statement, Trump took aim at Harris’s handling of the situation, commenting on the timing of her recent border visit. "Bad timing for her to show up to the Border today, after not going for four years. Why didn't she release these numbers earlier?" Trump said.
Non-Detained Immigrants Pose Growing Concern
The release of these statistics comes amid a broader conversation about how non-detained individuals are managed within the U.S. immigration system. As outlined in the letter, non-detained individuals include those who are awaiting the outcomes of their immigration proceedings and those who have been released into the country due to various circumstances, including limited detention capacity.
For critics like Trump and Green, the fact that a significant number of these individuals have criminal records or pending charges raises alarms about the effectiveness of the current immigration system. Both figures have called for greater enforcement and accountability.
Calls for Action Intensify
As this data continues to circulate, calls for a reevaluation of the administration's policies are likely to grow. The revelation of over 13,000 convicted murderers among non-detained illegal immigrants, alongside the staggering number of individuals with sexual assault convictions and pending charges, has already reignited public debate over the country’s immigration enforcement strategies.
For now, Trump and Green are among the most vocal critics, but their concerns echo a broader sentiment among many who are concerned about the impact of these policies on public safety.