Rep. Doggett Challenges Dangerous HALT Act

Knownas the HALT Act ("Hinder the Administration's Legalization TemptationAct"), the bill would suspend until January 21, 2013 the powers of thispresident to deprioritize certain deportations and legal proceedings in orderto prioritize the removal of convicted, serious criminals and other threats.

Rep. Doggett and his colleagues at the press conference pointed out that thepowers the HALT Act would restrict are the same prosecutorial powersthat Rep. Smith and others have called on previous presidents to use to preventthe deportation of law-abiding immigrants, including in a 1999 letterto then-Attorney General Janet Reno [linked to here, signed by Rep.Smith]. The New York Times, in an editorial Wednesday, said Rep.Smith's changed position on the use of prosecutorial discretion was "Hardto explain…although hypocrisy and rank opportunism seem likely."

"Thiscontradiction demonstrates yet another attempt by Representative Smith toengage in a political game centered on blaming our broken immigration system onimmigrants," said Rep. Doggett. "This is nothing more than adistraction from genuine efforts to improve our immigration system and throughmodest reforms like finally exacting the DREAM Act to give students theopportunity to achieve their full, God-given potential."

Prosecutorial guidelines released June 17by ICE Director John Morton called on his agency to prioritize criminaldeportations over the deportation of non-criminals with deep ties to America,including students brought here at a young age. Rep. Smith objects tosuch prioritization and wants to prevent any consideration of extenuatingcircumstances, conditions in the home country (including natural disasters andcivil war), and almost any other consideration that could delay or prevent adeportation. A companion bill from Sen. David Vitter is expected in theSenate.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett is a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reformand a four-time sponsor of the DREAM Act.