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7. Washington Watch: Republican Bill Would Allow Border Patrol to Ignore Environmental Laws   McClatchy Newspapers reports that as a part of the 2010 “Pledge to America,” House Republicans have proposed the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act which gives the U.S. Border Patrol the authority to ignore 36 environmental laws on federal lands in a 100-mile zone along the Canadian and Mexican borders.  Under the plan, the Border Patrol would have free rein to build roads and offices, put up fences and set up surveillance equipment and sensors in all national parks, forests and federal land in the zone.    Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), the bill’s chief sponsor, said the bill is needed because the Border Patrol is encumbered by environmental regulations and does not have sufficient access to millions of acres of federally controlled land.  Jane Danowitz, the Pew Environment Group’s director of public lands, called the plan a sweeping waiver of environmental laws that would allow a single federal agency to destroy wildlife habitat and wetlands and hurt water quality.  The House Natural Resources Committee passed the plan on a 26-17 party-line vote this month and a vote by the full House is expected soon.   http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/23/3224702/republican-bill-would-allow-border.html   ***** Judiciary Chairman Threatens to Subpoena DHS Over Deportations   The Hill (DC) reports that Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, threatened to subpoena the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a list of illegally present immigrants who the agency has declined to detain.  Rep. Smith requested a list in August of illegally present immigrants who were not pursued by DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under new guidelines that allow the agencies to prioritize the deportation of undocumented aliens with criminal histories over those who are otherwise law-abiding.  DHS responded to Smith’s request with a list breaking down the numbers of illegally present immigrants, deported, detained, and not taken into custody but Smith responded by saying that the letter was a summary and that he wanted a specific list delivered to him immediately or he would consider taking further action.   http://thehill.com/homenews/house/189913-gop-judiciary-chairman-threatens-to-subpoena-dhs-over-deportations   The Washington Times reports that House Republicans on an immigration subcommittee voted to authorize a subpoena to get data on illegally present immigrants against whom the government has declined to pursue deportation cases.  The 7-4 party-line vote came two days after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to meet an Oct. 31 deadline given to DHS Secretary Janet A. Napolitano by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith.  The four Democrats on the committee voted against the subpoena, arguing the administration is making a good-faith effort to compile the information and should be given more time.  Meanwhile, the Republicans on the committee insist the subpoena is a necessary measure to get the information they requested.   http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/2/subpoena-oked-see-administrations-illegal-immigrat/?page=all   *****

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