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John McCain Criticizes Release Of Undocumented Immigrants

McCain Slams Release Of Undocumented Immigrants
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) listens during a news conference on the terror attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi February 14, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The senator questioned why the Obama Administration did not seek enough help from the Libya government during the attack. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) listens during a news conference on the terror attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi February 14, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The senator questioned why the Obama Administration did not seek enough help from the Libya government during the attack. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona says it's possible some of the more than 2,000 undocumented immigrants recently released by the Homeland Security Department because of budget cuts had been convicted of serious crimes.

McCain sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday demanding information on the release of the detainees, who were facing deportation. He says there's a possibility some of them had committed serious crimes such as smuggling, narcotics trafficking and child molestation.

Federal officials maintain those released were "noncriminals" and low-risk offenders.

McCain wants Napolitano to make public this month the criteria used to determine which detainees were released and how many had been convicted of serious crimes.

The states where immigrants were released include Arizona, California, Georgia and Texas.

McCain is heading a Republican effort to craft immigration legislation focused on border security.

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