Deal wants more done to return felons from Mexico

WASHINGTON - Congressman Nathan Deal of Gainesville is calling for immediate reforms to strengthen the extradition process for illegal-undocumented felons that commit crimes in the U.S. then flee to Mexico, and suggested drastic consequences if those reforms are not adhered to.

Deal's comments came Wednesday during his testimony to the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources on what he called one of the most serious problems facing law enforcement in America.

"Today we will focus on the most serious failure of the Mexican government, its uncooperative attitude and policies relating to the extradition of individuals who have committed murders, operated major drug activities and other felonious acts within the United States and have fled to Mexico for safe haven," Deal said.

"It is a double insult to the American people for someone to enter our country illegally, kill one of our citizens, then flee across the border, and have his government refuse to allow him to be prosecuted using the excuse that our courts may impose too harsh a sentence."

Deal requested the hearing to assess the status of the extradition process, with a special focus on problems that have arisen in obtaining extradition of criminal fugitives from Mexico.

An October 2001 decision of the Mexican Supreme Court to forbid the extradition of fugitives facing life imprisonment has prevented justice from being done in numerous cases of murders and violent crimes committed in the U.S. Witnesses included representatives of federal and local agencies, including, Gwinnett County District Attorney Daniel J. Porter, with experience in extradition. Also testifying was the widow of a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy whose killer is still in Mexico.

Rep. Deal noted that unlike Columbia, that expedites extradition of alleged criminals to the United States for prosecution, Mexico continues to resist such efforts. Columbia has recognized that extradition to the United States is one of the most effective deterrents it possesses in fighting organized drug activities. By taking the opposite approach, Mexico is rapidly becoming a safe haven.

"Mexico's refusal to be a good neighbor in the prosecution of dangerous felons should be the first reason for the United States to resist expanded immigration rules and an open border policy," said Deal. "Any country that refuses to extradite a criminal who executes a police officer in the performance of his duties on American soil does not deserve to be given favorable trading status or any other position of preference in its dealings with the United States."