1.  In an exclusive news report published March 1, the Associated Press announced:

The Homeland Security Department released from its jails more than 2,000 illegal immigrants facing deportation in recent weeks…and planned to release 3,000 more during March. The newly disclosed figures…are significantly higher than the "few hundred" illegal immigrants the Obama administration acknowledged this week had been released... [ICE's] field offices have reported more than 2,000 immigrants released before intense criticism this week led to a temporary shutdown of the plan, according to the documents.

a) What reason has the Obama administration/DHS/ICE given for the release of so many illegal immigrants?

b) What previous statement did ICE Director John Morton make which contradicts this reason?

2. What information have members of Congress requested DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to provide? (What answers do they want?)

3. a) How many illegal immigrants does ICE have funding to detain on any given day?
b) How many did ICE plan on detaining by the end of March after their release plan?
c) The number of illegal immigrants held for deportation is determined by the amount of money the agency has. Should the number of other types of lawbreakers held be determined by the amount of money other law enforcement agencies have? (Should laws be enforced based on the federal budget?) Explain your answer.

4. a) How does the Obama administration defend its decision to release detained illegal immigrants?
b) If this is acceptable reasoning, should wardens then release all minimum security inmates in regular prisons, using the same requirements ICE is using? Explain your answer.

5. How have Secretary Napolitano and ICE responded to requests from Congress to provide specific information on the detainees released?

6. The announcement that a few hundred illegal immigrants were being released was among the most significant and direct implications described so far by the automatic budget cuts. Republicans in Congress quickly criticized the decision and pressed the Homeland Security Department for details, including the number of illegal immigrants released and the nature of any criminal charges they were facing as part of the deportation process.

• Two Republican lawmakers, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee wrote:  "Simply blaming budget reductions as a means to turn a blind eye toward the national security of the American people is a dangerous plan, and one that calls into question the department's preparations for sequestration."

• A group of 37 House Republicans, led by Reps. Matt Salmon of Arizona and Duncan Hunter of California, said in a letter to Secretary Napolitano on Friday: "It is frankly irresponsible that your agency chose releasing detained immigrants as its first effort to control spending."

Do you agree with the Congress members' concern? Explain your answer.