White House defends deportations after Democratic complaints

Source: Reuters

The White House on Friday defended its deportation policy after complaints from Democratic presidential candidates and congressional leaders that a sweep targeting Central American illegal immigrants is inhumane.

Reuters reported on Thursday that U.S. immigration officials plan a month-long series of raids in May and June to deport hundreds of Central American mothers and children found to have entered the country illegally.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest acknowledged that the deportation operations were consistent with President Barack Obama's policy to focus on deporting criminals and recent immigrants who crossed the U.S. border illegally after Jan. 1, 2014.

"No one is removed if they have an ongoing, pending claim or appeal for asylum or some other form of humanitarian relief," Earnest told reporters at a briefing.

"If this serves to discourage people from considering to make this journey, that would be a good thing," Earnest said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-deportation-idUSKCN0Y429P