by WorldTribune Staff, April 8, 2018
In his push to stem the tide of illegal immigration, U.S. President Donald Trump, who tweeted on April 7 that “we are sealing our Southern Border,” has called for an end to the policy of releasing illegals from detention while they await court hearings.
Trump signed a memorandum on April 6 ordering an end to the “catch and release” policy for illegals.
The president also asked Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to produce a list of military facilities that could be used to detain illegal aliens.
Mattis has signed an order to send up to 4,000 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We are sealing up our Southern Border,” Trump tweeted. “The people of our great country want Safety and Security. The Dems have been a disaster on this very important issue!”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, said they would deploy small contingents of soldiers to the border in their states and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, also a Republican, has tentatively agreed to deploy troops to the border.
California said it is still reviewing the federal request for troops.
Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said deploying National Guard units would enable border patrol agents to do more patrolling to search for smugglers.
“We have so many agents working in permanent surveillance duties, in control rooms, watching cameras,” Judd said. “This will free our resources to put more agents in the field….it will increase the certainty of apprehension, which will allow us to target the criminal cartels.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions on April 6 instructed U.S. prosecutors along the U.S.-Mexico border to get tougher on filing criminal charges against illegal aliens, ordering the prosecutors to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy.
“To those who wish to challenge the Trump administration’s commitment to public safety, national security, and the rule of law, I warn you: illegally entering this country will not be rewarded, but will instead be met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice,” Sessions said in a statement.
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