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Must Watch: ICE Union Leader Reveals Shocking Details About Immigration Enforcement in Testimony Before Congress

Feb. 13, 2013 3:32pm Jason Howerton

ICE Union Leader Chris Crane Gives Incredible Testimony Before Senate Judiciary Committee

Chris Crane (CSPAN)

Chris Crane, president of the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council 118, made a number of stunning revelations during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday — and he’s begging Congress for help. The ICE union boss argued that agents are no longer allowed to arrest illegal aliens solely for illegal entry or expired visas and morale is at an all-time low.

Most Americans would be shocked to find out that immigration agents are regularly “prohibited from enforcing the two most fundamental sections of United States immigration law,” he said. Instead, the administration has ordered that only illegals charged or convicted of “very serious criminal offenses” may be arrested or charged by ICE agents and officers.

“In fact, under current policy individuals legally in the United States must now be convicted of 3 or more criminal misdemeanors before ICE agents are permitted to charge or arrest the illegal alien for illegal entry or overstaying a visa,” he added. That is unless the misdemeanors involve assault, sexual abuse or drug trafficking.

Even more shocking, Crane said ICE agents or officers who witness a violation of immigration law are prohibited from making arrests and even from asking questions “under the threat of disciplinary action.”

Citing a recent morale survey disseminated throughout federal agencies, Crane said ICE ranks 279 out of 291 in employee morale and job satisfaction. He has previously asked the Obama administration to help address the plummeting morale and dissatisfaction among ICE agents.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration is continually making it nearly impossible for agents to enforce federal immigration law because they allow special interests groups to influence policy, Crane explained.

“The day-to day duties of ICE agents and officers often seem in conflict with the law as ICE officers are prohibited from enforcing many laws enacted by Congress; laws they took an oath to enforce,” he said. “ICE is now guided in large part by influences of powerful special interest groups that advocate on behalf of illegal aliens.”

Crane continued: “These influences have in large part eroded the order, stability and effectiveness of the agency, creating confusion among ICE employees. For the last four years it has been a roller coaster for ICE officers with regard to who they can or cannot arrest, and which federal laws they will be permitted to enforce. Most of these directives restricting enforcement are given only verbally to prevent written evidence from reaching the public.”

All of these restrictions being placed on ICE employees has put them in increased danger and the agency has seen assaults against ICE officers and agents continue to rise as “ICE arrestees become increasingly more violent and criminal in nature.”

You may be surprised to know that ICE agents are also prohibited from carrying life saving protective equipment like Tasers while on duty. Crane said ICE won’t approve the equipment due to “political reasons.”

“Death or serious injury to ICE officers and agents appears more acceptable to ICE, DHS and administration leadership than the public complaints that would be lodged by special interest groups,” he added.

Crane closed with this:

“In closing, while deeply concerned by the actions of our agency, as well as the current state and future of immigration enforcement, we are optimistic that all of these matters can be resolved with the assistance of members of Congress.

Only time will tell if lawmakers will answer the repeated pleas for help. Nearly a dozen immigration agents have sued the Obama administration for the right to enforce immigration law.

Just as a side note, despite being AFL-CIO affiliates, the union representing ICE agents has been shunned by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumpka and shut out of the development of immigration policy with the union and the Obama administration. The ICE agents union reportedly made multiple attempts to contact Trumpka’s top advisors to resolve the situation but have been ignored.

Read Crane’s complete testimony below:

2-13-13CraneTestimony by

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Comments (78)

worthless
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:34pm
why am I not surprised by any of this?

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- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:31pm
  Theblaze thinks that a union leader is an authority and thinks it is good public policy to follow their lead?
  
  You don’t think that is surprising?
  
  Soon there will be no difference in editorial content between theblaze and HuffingtonPost
  
  Report this comment
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:00pm
  Deport all ILLEGALS!http://weaselzippers.us/2013/02/13/illegal-immigrant-scolds-members-of-congress-during-senate-hearing-for-calling-him-an-illegal-immigrant/
  
  Report this comment
- M13
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:29pm
  So Mary, Can’t take the word of a union official? Then why is all of the stupidity that Dick Trumpka spews out you take as the gospel truth? Nice job showing us what an idiot you are, thanks.
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:32pm
  MaryMeth! I think that this guy may actually be doing something that few union leaders have the Huevo’s to do! Putting the country first and acting like a real American! Something Mary, that you know nothing about!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- 1stKENTUCKYREGULAR
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:47pm
  marybeth no where in this article does the BLAZE insinuate that this union rep is an authority on anything other than what ICE agents have communicated to him. This article is nothing more than intel that, unless your a low information voter, you were somewhat, if not fully aware of.
  
  Word of advice.And I only offer this as it’s clear by all your postings that if your education level is beyond the 8th grade you were AWOL.
  
  INFORMATION IS KNOWLEDGE
  KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  
  Now be a good little girl, go to your room, and if you have any functuning brain cells left, consider taking my advice.
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 9:22pm
  hmm the ILLEGAL ALIEN in chief doesn’t want ICE service to do it’s job?? does this not sound suspicious to anyone? obama may well be in this country ILLEGALLY! his aunt and uncle are most certainly here ILLEGALLY! but ins/ice REFUSE to deport them even though deportment orders were issued for both!
  Yes obama may be here illegally, he was “perhaps still is” an Indonesian citizen and that is factual! he had an indonesian passport and his school records clearly show him as an indonesian citizen! WHERE did obama get his US PASSPORT??? why are his passport records sealed?? why did the week of his alleged birth in hawaii did the immigration records go missing?? they were replaced with a copy of a few months or weeks prior and that has been proven!
  Why has obama not spoken as to the ILLEGALLY and CRIMINALLY forged copy of his birth certificate on the whitehouse website?
  The man is a communist, pathological liar, he is seemingly a criminal and he is seemingly a racist! yet no one in the so called main stream LIARS CLUB media will venture anywhere where near anything that could possibly put obama in a bad light!! Obama told us to judge him by those he associates with, ok fine, communists, muslims, liars, thieves… by his own words he is a communist, muslim, lying thief!
  The only people who don’t want to disclose the truth ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE!
  He tells us precisely what he is doing!!! HE IS HIDING THE TRUTH!!
  
  Report this comment
- BIGdave1
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 10:34pm
  @MaryBethElizabeth…
  
  Careful, ignorance IS bliss. Your attempy yo diminish what the ICE union rep is stating shows that you are not fully aware of the relationship here. He is an active agent within the organization who also serves as the rank & file representative. He is an expert in his field – which is why he was called to testify befire Congress. Also, take note of the fact that the AFL-CIO boss (Trumpka, an Obama flunkey) has refused to acknowledge the ICE union in negotiations/discussions regarding immigration issues.
  
  Report this comment
- Miami
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 12:26am
  Good Lord,
  
  This violates equal justice, If I or any other Citizen get caught driving without a DL we go to jail but those who are already breaking the Law by jumping there boarder ILLEAGLY get a pass…? What the HELL…?
  
  Report this comment
- Raging_Waters
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 2:11am
  This is the kind of injustice going on these days…
  
  http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2012/08/03/outrage-drunk-illegal-alien-with-four-duis-kills-baby-in-new-mexico/
  
  Report this comment
- AJBrad
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 11:54am
  Mary, Mary, quite contrary….as you reallyare. No the Blaze recognizes that even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Even a union leader can speak truth once in a while. So go out to Wal-Mart, buy yourself a tuffet and eat some curds.
  
  Report this comment
kathynwolf
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:21pm
It saddens me that this Administration has so little respect for the law, the people, the heroic men and women who but their lives on the line for us, and especially the truth!

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- CathyvanDyke
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:58pm
  LTC Allen West on Illegal Immigration
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmn0mFV7xFs
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:24pm
  “It saddens me that this Administration has so little respect for the law, the people, the heroic men and women who but their lives on the line for us” this administration has done quite a bit for our men and women in service.. equal service rights, equal benefits rights, Plus have tried multiple times to pass jobs bills that focus only on finding jobs and job training for returning veterans, sadly the GOP house rejected such a bill, and Republicans in the senate filibustered the bill. funny right! Also taking our troops out of a war where we never should have been in the first place.. ya tell me again how Obama’s administration is disrespectful to our troops.
  
  Report this comment
- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 8:55pm
  @ Keatonc33
  How about ordering flags at half mast for Whitney Houstons death and not mentioning a peep about Chris Kyle now thats a real patriotic President ain’t it.
  
  Report this comment
Packers13
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:09pm
This should surprise no one. The illegal invasion has been successful and profitable for them and for democrat candidates. It also should not surprise anyone that RMIN (law enforcement only network) published an article in April 2007 that claimed 25 Americans/day are killed by illegal immigrants. Yes that is 12 murdered and 13 killed by these drivers each day! The Dems who support (literally) these illegals should tour the border areas, talk with ranchers and enforcement personnel. In addition, if you care about the fragile desert environment, see what these ILLEGALS have done there…

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:26pm
  We protect the sovereign borders of nations around the world, spending trillions, as our homeland is being invaded. We have been, and are being, betrayed. All of our leaders are traitors. None, any different from Benedict Arnold or John Walker. They are stealing our children’s rightful inheritance.
  
  Report this comment
- toto
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:47pm
  And don’t forget likely thousands of these illegals are not Mexicans but infiltrators from Islamic terrorist states that are now protected by none other that Obama. The Islamists are winning the battle to get into the United States and are settling up for strikes all over the country. They have spent years throughout Latin America perfecting their Latinoness. The captures that we have had are for show. When they are in place and ready, all hell is going to break lose, at a time of their choosing. Remember they are very very patient, nearly 10 years between World Trade Center attacks, so could be any time now. Whether Obama aids and abets them is for you to decide, (don’t know how he could have been any more helpful to the Benghazi terrorists, than he was), however his policies have been enormously helpful to them.
  
  Report this comment
- katzkiner
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 7:33pm
  With the dems and the repubs falling all over each other for the Latino vote, if I worked for the Border Patrol or ICE, I’d be looking for other employment. There’s only 100 million Mexicans left in Mexico and soon there will be no border. North American Union time folks. The Super Highway from Mexico to Canada is being built right now. Do try to keep up.
  
  Report this comment
cosmic dogma
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:06pm
Just looked up the population of Mexico. About 112 million. PLus the 20-30 million who are here in the USA. Plus all of the rest of South America and any and every other person on the planet who can sneak in through Mexico. Thats a lot of illegals.

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- Acena
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:14pm
  The economy in mexico is in better shape than the US’s and the unemployment rate is 4.4% They have organized healthcare and education .
  There is absolutely no reason for them to come here.
  
  Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:03pm
So demand the FBI arrest President Obama or force Congress to impeach him? The people with the testimony are the only ones with legal standing to do so, and if they don’t defend the US Constitution, who will?

He can’t tell you not to enforce the law any more than they can change the law outside of Congress?
Which member of Congress is going to deny you access to state resources if the Federal government has abdicated its duty? Are you asking us to remove the Attorney General? Make the case, if Sheila Jackson Lee can explain how we put a flag on Mars, you can do that too?

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- Cavallo
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:15pm
  How will you get Harry Reid and the rest of the sycophants in the Senate to convict? Bobo can pretty much do anything he wants to as long as it is in the general wishes of the Fascists in the Senate.
  
  Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:03pm
Why is the Blaze advertising for AL Franken? This is the second time I asked. The first disappeared.

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- 13th Imam
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:08pm
  And the DW Schultz petition? Inquiring minds want to know. Al Franken and DWS?
  
  Report this comment
- Capt_Gregg
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 8:46pm
  I love to see libs’ ads on conservative websites — it’s that much less they have to spend where it might do them some good. Let Franken and DWS waste their resources by donating their money to Glen. Only trolls from their states will be influenced.
  
  Report this comment
cosmic dogma
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:59pm
Hopeless. Get used to being a minority. Thats what happens when you don’t reproduce. Others didn’t listen to the PC planet crap and pop out babies like they are from a pez dispenser.

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RightUnite
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:58pm
Don’t be surprised when he loses his job…

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- Sharon Rose
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:10pm
  or goes missing…..
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:16pm
  Trumka should be the one losing his job.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:41pm
  SHARON ROSE, He had better hope the Justice Dept does not send him on a fact finding mission in Mexico.
  
  Report this comment
- CathyvanDyke
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:57pm
  Will the real Marc Rubio please stand up!!
  
  Marco Rubio, March 2009:
  
  “I am strongly against amnesty. The most important thing we need to do is enforce our existing laws. We have existing immigration laws that are not being adequately enforced. Nothing will make it harder to enforce the existing laws, if you reward people who broke them. It demoralizes people who are going through the legal process, its a very clear signal of why go through the legal process, if you can accomplish the same thing if you go through the illegal process. And number two, if demoralizes the people enforcing the laws. I am not, and I will never support any effort to grant blanket legalization/amnesty to folks who have entered, stayed in this country illegally.”
  http://shark-tank.net/2013/01/28/marco-rubio-the-immigration-reform-savior-or-fraud/
  
  Marco Rubio, 2013:
  
  Sen. Marco Rubio’s immigration plan earned a measure of praise from the White House. And why not? It looks a lot like a White House plan from 2011.
  http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/16/3185077/rubio-obama-immigration-plan-senators.html#storylink=cpy
  
  Report this comment
NJONY
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:56pm
The government expects the people the laws of the land, yet Obama can just decide to override the laws of the land with Executive Orders and act like a King instead of a president. It seems the congress is unable to do anything about his use of Executive Orders. We need to pass a law that restricts Executive Orders but we would probably have to be able to override a Veto. I’ve contacted my representative about the issue of Executive Orders. Contact your Senators and Congressmen. You can use Open Congress.org to write them. Mine know I am for the Rubio (plus 7 others) plan.

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Rowgue
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:55pm
Why is this news?

Doesn’t anyone pay attention to anything? This was all over the news several years ago when the non enforcement directive was given.

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- Carrie3570
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 7:26pm
  I’ve been telling people this for years. I remember when Janet Napolitano gave a press briefing and stated that ICE would no longer pick up illegals from police or sheriffs department just for being illegal. The only time they would come was if it was a violent criminal that was illegal. People usually blow me off, but it’s the truth.
  
  That is why the illegals are able to work openly in construction, in kitchens, as maids, etc. Because it doesn’t matter. You can call and say there are 100 illegals working on a job site, and the police will take the call and do nothing, because nothing can be done. And we wonder why unemployment is so high?
  
  Report this comment
Bangstick
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:52pm
ICE on ICE on ICE violence?

Read the letter.

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Cavallo
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:52pm
Just imagine if a president did this to the ATF. I don’t want you enforcing any gun laws at all. No background checks will be required, no prosecutions or arrests for automatic weapons.

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:05pm
  Yeah the Marxist POS has selective enforcement,he enforces the law and violates the constitution when it comes to legal citizens rights ie second amendment. He violates the constitution by not enforcing immigration law to protect the future voting base of the democrat party,gang bangers,drug traffickers and in general dregs of society. Impeachment and life in prison is the best thing for the Marxist maggot and our country.
  
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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:50pm
A good first step would be to deport the 20 million + illegals currently draining us,of course I know that won’t happen but we need to start somewhere. Cranes testimony proves the utter failure of this government and it’s actually aiding illegals by not allowing ICE agents to uphold the law,shocking I know that a Marxist POS fraud president doesn’t want to protect the sovereignty of the U.S but there you have it.

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radiobob
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:50pm
why is it so hard to sign in? I’m on Google+.

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moreteaplease
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:49pm
“we are optimistic that all of these matters can be resolved with the assistance of members of Congress.”
———————————-
rotf Yeah, I use to think like that not too long ago.

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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:46pm
Zero will not stop until he has spent and robbed every last penny from our Treasury and bankrupted America. He is priming this country for a take-over, most likely by the Chinese.

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- gyro
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:53pm
  no no no take over from within
  
  Report this comment
jackact
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:45pm
What is the next step after sanctuary city?
Sanctuary country.
La Raza and the drug cartels are rotting this country from the outside/in.
:(

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- busterpuddles
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:25pm
  And we’re letting them by allowing this pres to do what he pleases. He says, “This is a new executive order.” and ALL of our elected officials yield without lifting a finger or standing up to declare, “That order cannot be obeyed!” I’ve been screaming from the mountaintops telling everyone that would listen that this guy will set this country up for takeover.
  
  The horrifying truth is there have been a few media sources that have pointed out many of the clues to this truth: Arpaio’s cold case findings on his birth cert and selective service regis.(that the FBI agreed with), his uncovered history, the interview obama’s own grandmother gave, words directly from obama, selling high-tech jets to the enemy, and on and on.
  
  Now, the two big questions are, when will the American people decide enough is enough, and who will stand when that time comes?
  
  Report this comment
gyro
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:45pm
This is a long read but it is so shocking Obama lied his ass of yesterday about this topic
Sad day in the USA

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walnutportconservative
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:44pm
Out of control!!!
We have spun out of control.
Can we ever get America back… highly unlikely.

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searching for the Truth
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:44pm
They also drive tractor trailer rigs.

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Cavallo
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:43pm
Welcome to the new Amerika. Where we are ruled by men, and not laws.

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elosogrande
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:42pm
This guy is too stupid to understand. You can’t deport a potential vote!

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- thibx
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:15pm
  damn shame but you are right, vote 2 time because you are excited.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:41pm
Day by day the evil of the administration is demonstrated before the nation and the world, and yet people tolerate it completely instead of declaring their indignation as is truly American.

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- gyro
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:52pm
  Snowleopard think like this
  If you hit a puppy long enough it turns into a mad dog (and the american public will take you back as a foot ball hero)
  so
  If you abuse the people in a country over and over you get a country out of control with no morals
  so
  who wins in a country like that ?
  
  Report this comment
- moreteaplease
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:01pm
  It’s like Rush said on his show today, people acknowledge the problems we have in this country but they fail to see Obama as the cause of any of them because they are misinformed ( by the MSM no doubt ). Instead, they believe that Obama is trying to fix all of the problems and he is one man fighting a battle against many who do not want him to succeed.
  
  People have become far too dependent on the MSM for the truth.
  
  Report this comment
- LakeHartwellSailor
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:39pm
  Kind of like an abused woman who stays with her abusing boyfriend/husband.
  
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BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:41pm
Our southern border, and 100 miles in each direction is referred to as the La Paz cooperation zone, brought to you by the UN, specifically Agenda 21. There will be no border soon enough.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:36pm
.
We need to get these Roaches out of America along with our very own Free Lunch Slaves……

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- Fubared
  Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:48pm
  Leave a trail of salsa and pork rinds to the border? Nothing will change, 11 mil new dem plantation workers/voters and the already entrenched ones. We should just get on board and increase spending to hurry the reset along.
  
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