Immigration

The quota edict was followed with a memo to federal prosecutors in the criminal courts with jurisdiction over border areas to issue more misdemeanor charges against immigrants entering the country unlawfully. Sessions’ memo instructs prosecutors “to the extent practicable” to issue the misdemeanor charges for improper entry. On Wednesday, Sessions is scheduled to be in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to speak on immigration enforcement at a border sheriffs’ meeting. … [Read more...] about Immigration judges, attorneys worry that Sessions’ quotas will cut into justice in clogged court system

"The contradictions are real," he said. "Farther north, people just don't get it. They don't know. They have no idea. [They say] 'Let's kick them all out.' 'Let's all Kumbaya.' But that someone is also saying someone has to do the laundry, care for my children and cut my grass." … [Read more...] about ‘Farther north, people just don’t get it’: Feelings about Trump and immigrants on the Mexico border aren’t simple

At least two of the defendants said they intend to seek asylum, which generally exempts people from criminal prosecution for illegally crossing the border. One of them, Yaneth, attempted to turn herself in at a legal port of entry but was turned away, according to court filings. Under U.S. law and international treaty obligations, Customs and Border Protection is required to let in migrants who say they fear persecution in their country of origin. But CBP faces a lawsuit in the Southern District of California alleging that the agency often flouts those rules. … [Read more...] about Trump Administration To Divide Immigrant Families To Prosecute Parents For Illegal Entry

Mark Meadows said conservatives in his group would support the farm bill as long as they got a vote on the so-called Goodlatte bill on immigration. GOP leadership already promised the Freedom Caucus a vote on the Goodlatte bill back during spending negotiations months ago, but leadership still hasn’t brought up the legislation. Asked why the Freedom Caucus would trust leadership again on holding the vote, Meadows made it clear he wanted a vote on the Goodlatte bill this week, concurrent with the farm bill, though he also said he would accept assurances from Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to put it on the floor next week. … [Read more...] about Conservatives Cook Up Farm Bill Gambit to Get Vote On Hardline Immigration Bill

Until recently, families that illegally crossed together generally faced deportation proceedings in civil court. But as of this month, the Trump administration is following a blanket policy of referring for prosecution all people who cross illegally. The change means that authorities send parents to jails run by the U.S. Marshals Services and their children wind up in the same agency as minors who came to the U.S. without their parents ― sometimes without their parents being able to locate them. … [Read more...] about Trump’s Crackdown On Immigrant Parents Puts More Kids In An Already Strained System