DOJ sends 35 lawyers, 18 judges to border to stop illegal immigrant caravan

Attorney General Jeff Sessions deployed dozens of new prosecutors and 18 more immigration judges down to the U.S.-Mexico border Wednesday to handle the illegal immigrant caravan and to try to head off another summertime surge of border jumpers. The additional lawyers should give the government capacity to file more criminal charges as a deterrent to illegal immigrants, and the added judges will help speed decisions on asylum claims like the ones the caravan participants say they’re making. Where in the past they might be arrested, processed and quickly deported, Mr. Sessions has said those caught sneaking in will now in many cases face prosecution for illegal entry — a misdemeanor crime. Those who’ve previously been deported yet sneak back in can be charged with illegal re-entry, which is a felony. Eleven illegal immigrants authorities say were part of the caravan but broke off and tried to sneak in Friday and through the weekend now face charges. Most of the caravan, however, is waiting to make asylum cases. They are camped in Mexico just outside the port of entry to the U.S., where the government is admitting them in a trickle. When they meet with border officers they are expected to make asylum claims. They are then turned over to asylum officers who do an initial screening — most of them are expected to clear that bar. But the tougher challenge comes later, when they face an immigration judge for a final ruling. Historically, only about 1 in 5 Central Americans is likely to win that case...MORE