Despite the fact that data shows federal enforcement efforts are up and illegal immigration is down, an August 9 Washington Times editorial falsely claimed that the “Obama administration stubbornly refuses to protect America's borders.” The Times also attacked U.S. Immigation and Customs Enforcement head Harold Hurtt “implemented policies and procedures that created de-facto sanctuary cities,” a claim Media Matters for America previously noted is false. From the editorial:

Another reason for concern is the recent appointment of Harold Hurtt as the head of ICE's office of state and local coordination. The mission of his charge is to increase cooperation between federal immigration efforts and state and local law enforcement. Mr. Hurtt, however, is a poor choice for fostering any type of constructive collaboration. While serving as police chief in Phoenix and Houston, Mr. Hurtt implemented policies and procedures that created de-facto sanctuary cities.

Mr. Hurtt's Operations Order 1.4.3 was a laundry list of ways in which Phoenix police would not cooperate with ICE regarding illegals. Unlawful entrants would not be reported to federal officials if they were witnesses to crimes, victims of crimes, seeking medical treatment or involved in a domestic disturbance. Detention or arrest for minor traffic violations also did not merit ICE notification, though a felony drunken-driving violator might be reported “if feasible.” It is hard to comprehend why it would be infeasible; perhaps if all radio, telephone and e-mail services went down at that moment. ICE was also specifically not to be notified if illegals were released from Phoenix police custody or released pending further investigation.

As head of the Houston police, Mr. Hurtt said, “Immigration enforcement by local police is counterproductive to community policing efforts.” If the past is prologue, Mr. Hurtt's version of federal-local immigration cooperation will be to tell police holding illegals to keep it to themselves. Better yet, just don't pick them up in the first place.

The Obama administration stubbornly refuses to protect America's borders. The president is appointing immigration officials who would rather coddle illegals than deport them, finding legal loopholes to protect those “present without authorization” and suing states like Arizona trying to find a solution to the alien onslaught. Front-line ICE agents are telling America they are ready, willing and able to do their job, but the Obama administration is simply uninterested.