Arlen Specter: “I seek recognition today to discuss the Accountability in Immigrant Repatriation Act of 2008, S. 2720. This bill…”

“I seek recognition today to discuss the Accountability in Immigrant Repatriation Act of 2008, S. 2720. This bill addresses the reality that aliens who have been ordered to be removed from this country are often released back onto U.S. streets due to the refusal of their home countries to repatriate them. Moreover, many of these aliens are criminals who have served time in our Federal, State, and local jails. As of February 11, 2008, eight countries--such as Vietnam, Jamaica, China, India, and Ethiopia--are refusing to repatriate a total of over 139,000 aliens. Over 18,000 of them are convicted criminals who have been released back into U.S. society. Secretary Chertoff testified this week that his counterparts in Europe are facing similar problems repatriating dangerous aliens. We must increase the pressure on foreign countries to take back the aliens that have been ordered deported. The Supreme Court in two cases--Zadvydas v. Davis and Clark v. Martinez--adopted a presumption that it is only reasonable to continue to detain aliens ordered to be deported for up to 6 months. So at the end of that time, if the home country steadfastly refuses to repatriate, we are forced to release them. This is of obvious concern to the citizens of this country, who are put at risk by criminal aliens who are released.”