Earlier today immigration agents and probation officers arrested eight men with criminal records. The charges range from sexual misconduct to rape. At least one victim was under the age of 14. [Eight Illegal Alien Sex Offenders Arrested Today, by Brendan Scott, Record Online 7/06/05]

The eight men were transferred to a detention facility in New Jersey pending deportation hearings.

The news release from ICE offered this clarification: "We have zero tolerance for those that prey on children," Martin D. Ficke, who heads federal immigration and customs enforcement activities in New York, said in a news release. "All of the heinous criminals arrested today have forfeited their privilege to remain in this country the moment they hurt an innocent."

Wow! As pleased as I am by this news I must offer two bits of commentary…

Flaw #1: Pending deportation hearings? They are illegal immigrants and convicted sex offenders but they get another trial?

If we don’t immediately deport these wretched creatures whom do we deport? Anybody?

If I were your garden-variety, creep-the-Tucson–desert-at-night illegal immigrant, I would be hopping mad. They only get one trial…which they usually skip…but if they commit a serious crime they could win two bites at the apple.

Flaw #2: Martin Ficke from ICE said "All of the heinous criminals arrested today have forfeited their privilege to remain in this country the moment they hurt an innocent."

Ok, not exactly Mr. Ficke. The privilege to remain in the U.S. was forfeit when they entered illegally.

[That last word kinda gives it away.]