Justice Department announces 'zero-tolerance' policy on illegal border crossings

[jwkelly]

The Justice Department announced Friday that it is implementing a “zero-tolerance” policy for prosecuting those attempting to enter the U.S. illegally -- the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration to combat illegal immigration.

“The situation at our Southwest Border is unacceptable,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement announcing the policy. “Congress has failed to pass effective legislation that serves the national interest -- that closes dangerous loopholes and fully funds a wall along our southern border. "

“As a result, a crisis has erupted at our Southwest Border that necessitates an escalated effort to prosecute those who choose to illegally cross our border,” he said.

The Trump administration says the number of attempted border crossings has increased by 203 percent since March 2017. In response, Trump this week signed a proclamation sending the National Guard to the border. He has said he would like to see 2,000-4,000 members sent to the border.

Donald J. Trump wearing a suit and tie© Provided by Fox News
The latest move by the Justice Department orders U.S. attorneys along the border to adopt a policy of prosecuting all referrals from DHS of illegal entry and attempted illegal entry into the U.S. It comes almost a year after Sessions issued a memo to federal prosecutors directing them to prioritize certain immigration offenses.

The DOJ’s announcement comes amid increasing criticism by Trump of U.S. laws for the border -- specifically on so-called “catch-and-release.”

“Our Border Laws are very weak while those of Mexico & Canada are very strong,” he tweeted Wednesday. “Congress must change these Obama era, and other, laws NOW!”

“We don't have laws, we have catch-and-release,” he said Tuesday. “You catch and then you immediately release and people come back years later for a court case, except they virtually never come back.”

In particular, Trump was riled by media reports of a caravan of more than 1,000 Central American migrants heading through Mexico toward the U.S. border. Trump threatened to end the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and cut aid to Honduras if the caravan was not stopped. He has also increased his calls for Congress to fund the wall on the southern border.

Other administration officials have echoed Trump’s stance, urging Congress to pass laws securing the border and promising more action from the administration. The Pentagon said Thursday it is establishing a new “border security support cell” that will be manned 24 hours a day and will support U.S. Customs and Border Protection.



"We will not allow illegal immigration levels to become the norm," DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said this week. "More than 1,000 people a day, 300,000 a year violating our sovereignty as a nation will never be acceptable to this president."

On Friday, Sessions -- who has a long-standing reputation for his tough stance on illegal immigration -- warned that illegal entry into the U.S. will not be rewarded and will be instead “met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice.”

“To the Department’s prosecutors, I urge you: promoting and enforcing the rule of law is vital to protecting a nation, its borders, and its citizens,” he said.

Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.       The way it should have always been but never was util now. I'd  love to see a "Escape from Ny" wall in which you get a loud warner then you get a warning shot,then killed .  You want to come here then do it legally.

[vickysue]

Something has to be done and ASAP.  At one time when living  along the border Bush put 250 national guards in place to ride and go with the border patrol to help stop them from pouring into our country.  When Obama took over he pulled them out almost right away and the trouble started again.  Where I lived you could count on as many as 400 a month coming across and that was just in one small  part of the state.  I had to call Border Patrol on the average of 12 times a month because of them being on our property. Drove my guard dog crazy. My husbands  job kept him out of town a lot.  I slept with a shot gun near by.  And if I were out of the yard the dog was with me. But if  you have never had to live that way you wouldn't understand.

[jwkelly]

Something has to be done and ASAP.  At one time when living  along the border Bush put 250 national guards in place to ride and go with the border patrol to help stop them from pouring into our country.  When Obama took over he pulled them out almost right away and the trouble started again.  Where I lived you could count on as many as 400 a month coming across and that was just in one small  part of the state.  I had to call Border Patrol on the average of 12 times a month because of them being on our property. Drove my guard dog crazy. My husbands  job kept him out of town a lot.  I slept with a shot gun near by.  And if I were out of the yard the dog was with me. But if  you have never had to live that way you wouldn't understand.

                                                   I agree with you,you should not ever live in fear in your country when you're a good person. I  have 3 bars/nightclubs in a 3 block area of me and have had to call the cops over  hispanic drunks,illegals.. several times,it's stressful but  action  not acceptance that matters when you're threatened.

[ktheodos]

Thanks for sharing

[sfreeman8]

I'm glad they're finally doing something strong. Mexico doesn't put up with illegals in their country. They deport them immediately or, in the case of these caravans, help them get to the U.S. 

There are 2 reasons why people illegally come here. The first one is money and the 2nd one is gangs because there is no money. I think the U.S. needs to go to the countries where most of the illegals come from and explain to these future illegals what our laws are and the legal ways to come here. They should also help the "presidents" of the countries revive their economies (somehow) so they don't need to leave.  A lot of these third world countries have corrupt people in the government. How do you stop that?  Education would help the people be productive citizens of their country.  It's a vicious circle.