During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border Attorney General Jeff Sessions made remarks on the new Justice Dept. memo that sets new immigration enforcement priorities that will end the “catch and release” practices that were used under the Obama administration. The memo orders federal prosecutors to prioritize criminal charges against illegal aliens who have a record of prior deportations or other criminal convictions and those who have helped to smuggle other illegal aliens across the border.
“For those that continue to seek improper and illegal entry into this country, be forewarned: This is a new era. This is the Trump era. The lawlessness, the abdication of the duty to enforce our immigration laws, and the catch and release practices of old are over,” Mr. Sessions said in prepared remarks.
Under these new guidelines prosecutors will seek felony charges against illegal aliens who have two or more misdemeanor illegal entry convictions or one illegal entry and another serious charge such as a felony criminal history or gang affiliation.
Illegal aliens who commit identity theft, visa or document fraud, improper entry through sham marriages, and those who assault or resist law enforcement officers engaged in immigration duties will also be a priority for prosecutors.
Sessions also announced a streamlined hiring process for immigration judges to help reduce the huge back log in immigration courts. He said DOJ plans to hire 50 new immigration judges this year and 75 next year.
“Under the President’s leadership and through his executive orders, we will secure this border and bring the full weight of both the immigration courts and federal criminal enforcement to combat this attack on our national security and sovereignty,” the attorney general said.
Read more on this story at The Washington Times.
