I am confused about this issue. On one hand I agree that felons should be sent back to their own counrty but then on the other??? This is the father of my 2 nephews...

Tancredo Questions Why Iraqi Felon Let Loose in Colorado
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) sent a letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff today asking why an Iraqi national who had been convicted of an aggravated felony and who had been arrested nearly 70 times in Colorado was not deported but instead was released into the public.
ICE sources say that the man, Gavan Alkadi of Longmont, was not deported because his country of origin – Iraq – refused to issue him travel documents to repatriate. ICE released Alkadi even though in the past the agency has issued its own travel papers and simply put the individual on an airplane to his destination.
The letter is reprinted below:
Dear Secretary Chertoff,
I was shocked to learn recently that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Colorado released a dangerous Iraqi national into the community despite his extensive criminal record. In addition, his case is apparently only the tip of an incredible iceberg of thousands of criminal aliens we are unable to deport because the country of origin will not accept them. Why is this happening long after the President announced the end of “catch and release”?
This man, Gavan Alkadi, 45, has been arrested nearly 70 times in Colorado alone. His record includes numerous DUI convictions as well as other charges ranging from drug possession to second degree murder. Alkadi was convicted in 2002 on an assault charge—classified by ICE as an aggravated felony. Consequently, his LPR status was suspended and deportation proceedings were begun against him. The deportation process unfortunately hit a roadblock when the Iraqi government refused to issue travel documents for him. An immigration judge subsequently released this man into the community while his deportation is stalled waiting for the Iraqi government’s travel documents.
What is the current status of this particular case and when do you expect the Iraqi government to issue travel documents for Mr. Alkadi? Why did ICE release this clearly dangerous individual rather than detain him until deportation proceedings have been completed? If there are federal court rulings dictating an alien’s release in these circumstances, what are your agency and the Justice Department doing to appeal and change those rulings? How widespread is this problem with Iraqi nationals? How many similar cases have there been since the year 2001 in which Iraqi nationals have been released because of the lack of travel documents? Have you conferred with the State Department about getting better cooperation from the Iraqi Embassy? What is the total number of aliens released in each year from 2001 to 2005 because of non-cooperation by a government in not issuing travel documents?
I have been told that in past years, in such cases the INS would issue its own travel papers and simply put the individual on an airplane to that destination. What prevents our government from doing this – simply repatriating the undesirable alien to his own country of origin regardless of whether or not the receiving government agrees to accept him? I am also confused about the release of this man in the wake of President Bush's recent pledge to end the failed policy of “catch and release.” How many OTM’s have been released in FY 2006 due to foreign governments’ refusal to accept their return?
Mr. Secretary, I do not believe I am alone in viewing the apparent handling of cases like Mr. Alkadi's as completely unacceptable. I hope the agency will act swiftly to revoke whatever kind of legal parole has been extended to Alkadi before he commits another crime.
I also urge you to engage in direct discussions with Secretary Rice to design alternative strategies for gaining the cooperation of recalcitrant foreign governments. For example, if we simply suspended granting new travel visas to the citizens of the offending government for 30 or 60 days, it would probably get their attention.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Tom Tancredo
Member of Congress

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