zambonifed ! Always good to see a comment from you. 4EVERCUSTOMS, good point on the admin processing. I think that is the one of the main problems with ICE OI. Agents want to do criminal cases, leading to prosecutions and prison. Hard to maintain a criminal focus when you spend a bulk of time doing admin processing.
It is supposed to be DRO who responds to admin removal cases, they do a good job (a great job when they do Fugitive Ops) and they are experts in those systems. Maybe if DRO was placed under the SAC it would improve the lines of communication and response.
I don’t mind helping out with Enforce and processing (good chance to keep up on those systems- which I admit to not being well versed). But that shouldn’t be the focus, and it seems, since it generates ‘easy’ numbers (stats for Congress) we degenerate into just doing that.

CallofDuty on June 16, 2007 at 6:31 am

I see EVS is still going strong on here sucking as much ICE dick as he can handle.

kcrat on June 16, 2007 at 9:15 am

4EVERCUSTOMS,
Thank you for your reply. This site’s problem with reading/accessing the archives/comments is a bit trying. I would have responded sooner if I could have.
Your example was good. I do not, nor could not argue with your reasoning of not wanting anything to do with that, especially dealing with ENFORCE. (I used to have an alien totally processed in 20 minutes, until ENFORCE came around) Early in my career, I, as a Legacy INS agent thought exactly as you. What a waste of time when we could be conducting criminal investigations; and to add insult to injury, most were never Deported/Removed. (This is changing though since the inception of FUGOPS. I was not digging on DRO, only remembering early in my career.)
Unfortunately, USCS was merged to include the torn apart INS Investigation section and all of it’s baggage, which included processing of non criminal aliens. This knee jerk reaction after 9/11 was made, IMHO, to assure the scared public masses. Unfortunately again, we are the ones who have to deal daily with their mess.
I always try to take the positive and run with it, so I will do so here with the hope that it might give you insight into another angle of this inherited mess.
Having to deal with processing aliens for 20 years, I finally realized the only value to it. Whether investigating solely, or with other local, county, state, or federal agencies, was the threat of deportation, real or imagined, to the aliens. It is better than the threat of going to jail. I began to use that leverage to get informants. Some were non-criminal in nature and could only get me Doc vendors, but others were indicted in criminal schemes and were only here by our grace, and knew how to move in criminal circles.
Another thing USCS inherited besides the broad law enforcement authority, was the ability to use the immigration violations, especially the visa fraud, as a tool to get cooperation from aliens committing other crimes (a favorite for JTTF), including USCS jurisdiction. (I worked for years, with one of the best 1811 investigators around who was USCS. I talk to him and listen to similar complaints.)
The aliens, in their efforts to get and remain in the US, usually lie about something that is documented in their file. Even if it goes beyond the statute of limitations, they either don’t know they can’t be charged, or more commonly worry about being deported. This is another great tool to use to get to where you want to go in your investigation.
Most other cultures I have encountered believe in an exchange style relationship, and believe that if they give you something, they will get something or vice versa. How easy it is to get an EAD for an alien. (IMHO it goes a lot further with them then giving them a couple of hundred dollars or even a couple of thousand.) How easy it is to get a Stay for a source from our brothers at DRO. The only thing negative I will say about sources, is that it is now such a pain to register them, it is almost not worth it any more.
I could go on, but I think I expressed my outlook on it. Having said that, if you are doing nothing but processing, who cares how many sources you have, because it doesn’t matter if you don’t have time to investigate. I agree with that.
Hopefully, there is light at the end of the tunnel for you in the knowledge that DRO is eagerly grabbing up any and all programs that OI does not want. I would bet that in the near future, DRO will be akin to the old INS. I doubt it will be exactly like it was, but maybe enough so that USCS guys don’t have to process aliens.
DRO, remember, is functioning mostly like it did prior to the split, so they go by the old procedures. That included not taking an alien until fully processed and booked somewhere. That, I never agreed with, but when it is in black and white, it is hard to argue against. Most DRO guys I know (several I used to work with for years who have transferred there) will bend over backwards to help. I don’t know about other AOR though.
As for the inspectors, I am told by friends there, that nothing has changed. It is still as you stated it while working there. That is a shame.
Thank you for giving me insight into why you picked your name. I will stand by my earlier statement though. To me, it doesn’t matter how justified your reasons are, if it keeps prodding the open wound, then how can it heal? Every time you see your name, it reminds you of how good things were. Every time someone else sees it, they either think the same thing as you, or they think you are thumbing your nose at them. Giving your insight is good, because those that follow these comments closely will know you are not pointing at the agents, only the system. Hopefully, those that only casually peruse it will not get the wrong idea.
Enjoy your family today, as I plan to. God gave them to us, so I thank Him for them.
True American

True American on June 16, 2007 at 10:03 am

Thanks CallofDuty! Me thinks I will probably go silent on this blog for awhile after this post. Have said almost all I have to say and doubt that further posting by me will move ICE any closer to the light. It’s been fun though, and helpful in that you know all that hate and discontent you have been carrying around for four plus years is not just a figment of your imagination. Pretty clear huh?
Anyway, my suggestion for HQ management below Julie is to try and swallow a little pride, lose the attitude that we peons couldn’t possibly understand the pressures and political aspects of what “our superiors” are doing up there in that oh so rarified air.
Had an ASAC once that would get up in front of the troops and pretty much say it like it was. Not the good news, or telling you that stink you are smelling is all in your imagination. No sugar-coating, just here it is and this is what we are going to try and do to mitigate the damage. He’d ask for suggestions and encouraged participation and trusted his guys/gals enough to let them try some innovative ways to attack persistent problems. Was pretty cool even when it didn’t work because you felt like you were part of a team, you were valued and everyone knew you were working to make things better for all.
If I were Marcy and John, I would acknowledge that ICE has a huge morale problem. That problem is exacerbated by denying that this blog is out there and has no effect on reactive steps taken on the 7th floor. Acknowledge in a public (to all ICE employees) forum that they know of our concerns, they share them, or not, but that they know! Then simply address the issues that have been raised here. Admit that mistakes have been made by them as well.
Management has a hard time retreating from poor decisions. They think it makes them look weak, inept or capricious. It’s too bad. I really respect and admire someone who can say “yeah, I really f—-d up with that decision, sorry I will try to do better next time”. And not persist with a program, directive, direction or policy that is counter-productive because to rescind it would make them appear wrong or weak.
Too much management by fiat. Too much personal feelings involved. Some of that is our fault collectively because we beat the hell out of them and each other. Just would love to see one of them fall on their sword, admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness and help from the troops.
As a legacy USCS agent, I too am terrified of the legacy I&NS systems and the lack of clarity in nearly every alien matter criminal or administrative and the subjectivity of it all. Hate not knowing what I am doing and being innovative. I’m too chicken-s–t to do that with Title 8!
Would love to see (where it is practical due to office size) all legacy authorities being enforced equally and groups dedicated to that type of investigation. Then mandate one agent at a time for a period of 6-12 months take their turn in the chute. Shadow your other legacy brethren in their field of expertise. Can work both ways, but would have to believe that it would greatly assist legacy USCS agents with getting over their fear and loathing of the legacy I&NS systems and authorities and would give us the kind of training that we needed before we were expected to enforce Immigration law. Our legacy I&NS brethren could also then elect to work in a legacy USCS group for a similar period of time. Basically, 1 in, 1 out so as not to severely impact any group, but be working towards a truly cross-trained and able workforce.
Just don’t think we are EVER going back to our respective legacy agencies. I can’t cry anymore. I’ve got too much time left and really want to get back to loving my job. Good luck to all my fellow bloggers and GodSpeed!

zambonifed on June 16, 2007 at 10:11 am

I’ve reviewed all of EVS’s posts and I’m ready to venture a guess as to his real identity……..I believe he is a DAD at HQ, he was acting when I retired and I heard he was recently appointed…..Matt Allen

ficedup on June 16, 2007 at 10:18 am

That would explain the public pathetic butt-kissin’ Everliving lapdog does in here day after day. The big question is: Who put him up to it? Is it a vast conspiracy to discredit DS and this blog? Don’t know. The future is so scary. Someone please hold me!

q2thecore on June 16, 2007 at 12:40 pm

ficedup,
Wrong again! LOL I’m not Matt Allen, though he is a friend of mine. Back to the drawing board. I told you I’m not assigned to HQS, but I am out in the field in one of our 26 SAC offices. Start wherever you’d like. LOL
q2thecore,
This EverVigilantSheepdog thinks for himself, and takes no orders regarding this pursuit from anyone. I’m not out to discredit DS or the blog, just to offer another perspective.
zambonified,
I hope you are sucessfull my friend. It is still a great job.
Work Safe,
EVS

EverVigilantSheepdog on June 30, 2007 at 3:31 pm