A very small percentage of arrested immigrants particularly those family units who entered the United States illegally were deported, according to an official of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
During an interview with KTAR News’ Martha Maurer, ICE Phoenix Field Office Director Henry Lucero, said, “Two percent of all family units that are apprehended ultimately get repatriated. That means 98 percent are going through proceedings or we are actively looking for them right now.”
Here’s what attract large groups of immigrants to illegally enter the U.S.
Lucero explained that the Flores Agreement prohibits the federal government from detaining family units for more than 20 days. ICE normally releases them from custody within 10 to 13 days.
According to him, “People know that, smugglers know that. They take advantage of it.” Lucero added that the situation is probably attracting “family units or people acting as family units” from Central American countries to enter the U.S. illegally and seek asylum.
