The Obama Administration is switching gears on handling illegal immigrants and this week saw evidence of that in Texas. As many as 284 people were arrested but the significance of those arrests was that all of them had criminal convictions.

Currently, this is the criteria that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative agency in the Department of Homeland Security, is focusing on. The operation, termed a “surge”, by the ICE was a collaboration of many security agencies lasting three days. Over half of those arrested had convictions for drug abuse and/or violent crimes.

However, this operation raised a very pertinent question. If they were convicted, why were they not deported? The question highlights a flaw in the system where only Federal and State prisoners are scrutinized on their immigration status; those in county and city jails are overlooked. While there are two federal databases that jailers can crosscheck as to the immigration status of prisoners, not many of them use it currently. The number is as low as 110 law enforcement agencies even though the program was launched almost 15 months ago. According to John Morton, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, this situation is set to change completely by 2013 where all law agencies will participate in this program.

Many people are not satisfied with the operation, including the Center for Immigration Studies. They claim that this operation gave out the message that only murderers and drug dealers were actually illegal immigrants and that only they will be dealt with according to the law.

Activists were fervently pushing for immigration reform this week in Cincinnati under the banner of “Reform Immigration for America”. The activists want immigration laws to be changed so that they don’t end up destroying families that ultimately affects the economy adversely. The reforms they are pushing for are changes that will help legalize millions of illegal immigrants.

Unfortunately for them pushing for reforms at this time period is almost futile. With mid-term elections looming on the horizon, lawmakers will not be susceptible to volatile issues such as immigration reform. According to the Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, Mark Krikorian, attempts to generate interest for this effort are in vain. He noted that even when the climate for reform was better during 2006-07, it failed to pass through Congress. At that time President Bush and the Democrats both supported the reforms without any success. Krikorian is of the opinion that the activists should not even bother at this point and instead wait it out until a better opportunity presents itself.

The activists though are not bothered by the challenges. They propose to engage lawmakers across the nation and convince them to support their effort. They claim that the reforms will help the country’s economy. Legalization of immigrants will help the immigrants to open bank accounts, purchase houses and live better lives, argue the activists.

While this maybe a less destructive way of solving the illegal immigrant problem, it will take time to convince lawmakers to see it that way. Unless a significant event causes them to do so in the near future, the activists have a long wait ahead of them for the political climate to boil down before their pleas are considered.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began Operation Community Shield in February 2005 to specifically target foreign-born violent gang members. Since then, the successful operation has netted over 15,000 gang members helping to clean up communities. The success of the ICE operation is attributed largely due to the co-operation and support of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Recently, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Pelham Police Department played vital roles in aiding the ICE in their efforts. During Operation Big Freeze (part of the Operation Community Shield), the two agencies provided logistical support in the form of booking facilities as well as supplying manpower and other help. From the 27 persons netted in this operation, five men and the only woman arrested were released to await a hearing from an immigration judge. Those remaining in custody are believed to be linked with several violent gangs who are wanted for serious offences.

Young illegal immigrants are sometimes lured by the protection offered by these gangs, but most often are forced to join. Once in, they usually have no choice but to remain with the gang and go on to commit serious crimes. The adverse effect this has on communities as well as the reputation of their fellow nationals, who are legal citizens of the U.S., is immeasurable. This is one reason that the ICE created Operation Community Shield to combat the menace of transnational gangs. So far, the ICE has been successful in weakening over 900 dangerous gangs nationwide.

The term “The land of the free and the home of the brave” conjures images of hope and a better life. Fortunately or unfortunately, this has created hopes and dreams for millions around the world. The sheer number of people who wish to reside legally in the U.S. is so great, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) simply cannot process them all in time.

Of course, not all who apply are eligible, but even with the applications that do meet the required criteria the volume is such that the USCIS is left struggling. Therefore, it is not surprising that many resort to illegal means to gain entry into the country. One of the legal ways to reside in the U.S. is to apply for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status.

At the outset, it must be made clear that LPR is not the same as U.S. citizenship. A person with LPR is allowed to reside anywhere in the U.S. and gain employment in any legal establishment. However, they are not entitled to a U.S. Passport. That is reserved only for native or naturalized citizens. The LPR status can be obtained for a variety of reasons, but two of the popular methods are family and work-oriented. A U.S. citizen can sponsor a relative from another country, which will make the foreigner eligible for a Green Card. Applying for work reasons can also entitle foreign nationals to Green cards. Even foreign investors as well as medical staff moving to remote areas are eligible for LPR as they bring considerable benefits to the nation.

It is imperative to emphasize that all LPRs should engage in strictly lawful activities. Unlike naturalized U.S. citizens, LPRs will be deported back their native countries if they are found guilty of any wrongdoing.