Ted Cruz On A Tear Against Illegal Immigration: THIS is AWESOME

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) used his level-headed intellect to blow away the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sarah Saldana, at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

The subject of the hearing was the Obama administration’s routine release of illegal immigrants who are convicted felons rather than deporting them.Via RCP:

CRUZ: In the year 2014, how many criminal illegal aliens did the Obama administration release?

SALDANA: In 2014 it was a little over 30,000.

CRUZ: How many murderers?

SALDANA: Sir, I can’t remember the number right now, but I know we had the statistic that was said earlier… but I can’t provide you the exact number…”

CRUZ: How many rapists?

SALDANA: Umm. I am not sure right now.

CRUZ: How many drunk drivers?

Yesterday, how many murderers with the Obama administration release?

SALDANA: I can’t answer that question. I want the American people to know and understand our job and our mission. We don’t release people willy nilly. …

CRUZ: I want to know that your testimony here, on how many criminals ICE released in 2013, you were off by a factor of three. You said 30,000. The correct answer is 104,000. There were 68,000 criminal illegal aliens that ICE declined to begin deportation proceedings against. Despite the fact, that as Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) 92% observed the federal law that you are holding up there says they “shall” be deported.

The Obama admin refused to deport them. That is 68,000. In addition to that there are 30,000 in deportation proceedings with criminal proceedings that the Obama administration released. I would note that among those were 193 murderers with homicide convictions. 426 people with sexual assault convictions. 16,000 criminal illegal aliens with drunk driving convictions released by this administration because they refuse to follow the law.

SALDANA: Sir, those numbers, I am looking straight at them. You asked me I thought about 2014. That is 30,558. And the good news is, at least it went down from 2013, when it was 36,007.

CRUZ: But you are omitting the 68,000 criminal illegal aliens that ICE did not begin deportation proceedings against at all. You’ve got to add both of those together, it is over 100,000.

SALDANA: Yes, sir, that is absolutely right, all pursuant to the statute that the Congress has outlined…CRUZ: There are too many politicians in Washington that talk a good game but don’t act. If you want to honor Josh [Wilkerson], if you want to honor Kate Steinle, start enforcing the law and stop releasing murderers, and rapists, and drunk drivers…

CRUZ: I don’t want to hear from the Obama administration they’re sorry while they continue to do the exact same thing because what we know – more people will be murdered, more people will be raped, more people will be killed by drunk drivers because this Administration refuses to enforce the law. That is wrong. No man is above the law, and that includes President Obama…It is within your power to follow federal law. And this administration refuses to do so, and that is altogether unacceptable.

Cruz is getting down to brass tacks and getting things done, unlike many of his Presidential rivals, who seem more concerned with pouncing on Donald Trump’s latest soundbite.

Do we want a leader of action or one of reaction as President?  The American public is sick of the whiney Washington Cartel.  It’s time to address the issues about which Americans care deeply, instead of acting like children in a schoolyard.

H/T Real Clear Politics