[JURIST] US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff promised Senators Tuesday that he would no longer allow non-Mexican immigrants who have entered the United States illegally to be released back into the US if they are apprehended. This so-called "catch and release" policy has allowed tens of thousands of non-Mexican illegal immigrants to remain within the United States. In prepared remarks [text] to the Senate Judiciary Committee [official website], Chertoff also said that President Bush remains committed preventing to all forms of illegal immigration [DHS statistics]. Chertoff told the committee that the administration is committed to gaining control of the border and enforcing workplace laws in order to prevent immigrants from obtaining unlawful employment in border states like Texas. Chertoff also argued that the proposed temporary worker program [White House backgrounder] is critical to the Homeland Security Department's success at controlling the border. AP has more.
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