Schumer to Propose Crackdown on Drop-Houses for Smuggled Immigrants
Maybe the proposal was already in the works, but on Wednesday -- the same day The Wall Street Journal reported on the problem of Mexican gangs smuggling
Jul 31, 202065.2K Shares2.2M Views
Maybe the proposal was already in the works, but on Wednesday — the same day The Wall Street Journal reportedon the problem of Mexican gangs smuggling undocumented immigrants into the country and then holding them hostage — Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) assured Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitanothat he’d introduce a law to help put a stop to that. Schumer’s proposal would allow agents from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to seize the houses where the immigrants are being stored if ICE can prove that they’re used by smugglers to hold illegal immigrants. The immigrants are often held hostageuntil either they or their future employer who paid to smuggle them into the country pays a ransom.
Current U.S. law requires the homeowner to be convicted of a smuggling-related crime before federal agents can seize the house, and ICE agents have complained this makes seizure too difficult.
Schumer’s idea, which is reportedly supportedby the Obama administration, is nothing new. Back in July 2005, the Government Accountability Office suggestedgiving federal agents this civil forfeiture authority, which it already has to confiscate things like boats used to smuggle drugs.
The problem with the proposal, though, as the GAO noted in its report and testimony to Congress, is that most of these houses are rented by smugglers, who themselves often take off before the feds can arrest them, and they become fugitives. It’s not clear what good seizing the house does at that point. Moreover, it’s often not clear whether the owner of the home even knows how it’s being used by its tenants. Presumably that’s why the current law only allows the government to seize the house afterproving the homeowner knowingly facilitated the smuggling operation.
“This policy needs to be fixed right away,” Schumer told The Associated Presson Wednesday after a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. “It can put a serious dent in the operations of the Mexican cartels that deal in human trafficking.”
It could also put a dent in the Southwestern rental market, particularly for Mexican renters.
Dexter Cooke
Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles