Prosecution of illegal immigrants surges in South Texas

[DesertFox]

Edward Hegstrom
Houston Chronicle
24 Aug 05


Illegal immigrants, including first-time crossers, are being prosecuted at dramatically higher rates in South Texas, according to a report released today.

The analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse found a 345 percent increase in immigration-related prosecutions in the U.S. Attorney's Southern District of Texas from fiscal year 2003 to 2004. Of the nearly 17,000 prosecutions in the Southern District of Texas last year, more than 80 percent were for illegal entry, a misdemeanor.

The study found increases nationwide in immigration prosecutions. Nearly a third of all federal criminal prosecutions are related to immigration, topping drug cases, the study said. But researchers were surprised to see the sudden rise in the Southern District, particularly since the volume of illegal border crossers is higher in Arizona.

More (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3322753)

[Melz]

Okay it says they are being charged with illegal entry (among other crimes that is), but are they being deported back there? (Perhaps I missed if the article said that). That is the only punishment acceptable.

[tacitus]

immigrants prosecuted for illegally entering the country serve up to 30 days in jail, jamming the court systems and taking up most of the time of public defenders.



Still, the vast majority of illegal immigrants captured by the Border Patrol are sent back to Mexico the same day instead of being prosecuted. Border Patrol agents made 1.1 million arrests of illegal immigrants along the border last year. But fewer than 27,000 people were prosecuted on immigration charges that year, according to TRAC.



It's hard to determine what the courts are doing with them after the 30 days in jail. Probably letting them go.

[Lazarus]

I think its time again to start a secession movement in the South since the Federal gov has ignored their responsibility to secure our borders...