DHS decision brings outrage from Brewer, joy from immigrants

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DHS decision brings outrage from Brewer, joy from immigrants

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By Kristen Keogh, FOX 10 News - bio | email

Arizona PoliticsMore>>
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FLORENCE, Ariz. -

Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement released hundreds of detainees, and Wednesday -- the executive who made that decision announced his retirement.

The man in charge of arresting and deporting immigrants announced that he'll be retiring in April. Meanwhile, hundreds of detainees have been set free. It's a decision that Governor Jan Brewer calls "appalling."

"I was jumping for joy, I was so happy to know I would be leaving," said Cesar Lorenti.

Cesar Lorenti is free from prison, along with hundreds of other illegal immigrants, after the Department Of Homeland Security authorized the release ahead of sequestration.

"The agency released these low-risk, non-criminal detainees under a less expensive form of monitoring to ensure detention levels stayed within ICE's overall budget," said Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary.

Wednesday, Gary Mead, the head of Homeland Security's Immigration Enforcement and Removal Operations, announced his resignation.

"This is just unexplainable, unbelievable and it's appalling. The bottom line is what about the respect for the law abiding citizens? And who is running this country is, blame this person, blame that person, duck cover," said Governor Jan Brewer.

Governor Jan Brewer says those immigrants were detained for a reason -- but Lydia Guzman of the League of United Latin American Citizens thinks that money shouldn't be wasted detaining immigrants who pose no threat.

"With or without Gary Mead, immigration is going to have to continue. What they're doing now right now, they have to focus on their priorities and their priorities should be deporting the dangerous elements," said Guzman.

"I have fear but I want to comply with all of the laws. I want to live here well, go to courts and hope we can have immigration reform so I can stay here safely," added Lorenti.

Illegal immigrants will still have to follow a strict reporting schedule – to attend appointments at regional ICE offices – and some could be required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Governor Brewer says no one from the Department of Homeland Security has contacted her yet.

DHS decision brings outrage from Brewer, joy from immigrants

DHS decision brings outrage from Brewer, joy from immigrants

Arizona PoliticsMore>>

ImmigrationMore>>