William F. Smith: “H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act of 2006, will fix a U.S. Supreme Court decision that has inadvertently put us in…”

“H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act of 2006, will fix a U.S. Supreme Court decision that has inadvertently put us in danger. The bill allows the Federal Government to detain illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes for 6-month periods beyond their incarceration, as long as at the end of each 6-month period the detention is renewed by the Department of Justice. Current law states that if a convicted illegal immigrant is ordered deported, but can't be deported because their home country refuses to take them back, the U.S. Government can only detain them for a 6-month period. After that, the Government is forced to release the criminal immigrant knowing they may be a danger to the community. We have a responsibility to make sure the laws of this land protect Americans rather than endanger them. Under this bill convicted illegal immigrants will be detained until arrangements can be made to have them deported. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.”