Julie L. Myers, the assistant secretary of homeland security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pointed out that a significant number of immigrants had been deported. She said it was "appropriate" for the others to be fighting to stay in court, as the law allows.

"I certainly understand the frustration, if there's frustration on the American public's part, but that's certainly the immigration court's process and I think it's fair that it plays out," Myers said during a news conference at the Tip O'Neill Federal Building in Boston today.