GOP senator: 'Why would anyone trust this administration' after release of illegal immigrants with criminal records

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) warned Wednesday that there's little reason to trust that President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration will protect American citizens, as the administration has already violated its own policy regarding the release of illegal immigrants with criminal records.

Grassley wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson reminding him that the Obama administration released 36,007 criminal aliens back into the United States in 2013, including 169 who were convicted of homicide. That released occurred despite a formal policy that said criminal aliens must be deported.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) says there's no reason to trust the Obama administration after its release of 36,000 criminal illegal immigrants, going against its own policy.
Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File

"The Obama administration allowed tens of thousands of undocumented criminals to stay in communities across the country despite a policy specifically stating that these people be deported," Grassley said. "The department [of Homeland Security] released murderers and domestic abusers from its custody."

"So, why would anyone trust this administration going forward?" he asked.

Grassley's letter was released just a day before Obama was expected to outline his plan to revise immigration policy on his own, and action that continues to draw GOP criticism and warnings that Republicans will take steps to shut down his plan with legislation.

Grassley wrote to DHS in June to ask for a detailed case summary of each convicted criminal who was released, but said he got a response in August that didn't fully answer his questions, and raised new questions. He wrote again in August, but has yet to receive any response nearly three months later.

Grassley's letter asked for many other details about the thousands of criminal aliens released in 2013, and demanded a reply by December 8. Read his letter here: