Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke from the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona on Tuesday, where he made it very clear that the Obama-era policies of “catch and release” were over.
Sessions indicated that major changes were coming to the Justice Department’s protocol in that they will be charging and prosecuting illegal aliens who re-enter the United States with a felony.
“When we talk about MS-13 and the cartels, what do we mean? We mean criminal organizations that turn cities and suburbs into war zones, that rape and kill innocent citizens, and who profit by smuggling poison and other human beings across our borders,” Sessions said.
“Depravity and violence are their calling cards, including brutal machete attacks and beheadings.”
“It is here, on this sliver of land, where we first take our stand against this filth. In this fight, I am here to tell you, the brave men and women of Customs and Border Protection: we hear you, and we have your back,” Sessions exclaimed with Customs and Border Protection officers surrounding him.
“Finally, and perhaps most importantly: I have directed that all 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices make the prosecution of assault on a federal law enforcement officer — that’s all of you — a top priority. If someone dares to assault one of our folks in the line of duty, they will do federal time for it,” Sessions added.
“For those that continue to seek improper and illegal entry into this country, be forewarned: This is a new era. This is the Trump era,” Sessions said. “In that vein, I am also pleased to announce a series of reforms regarding immigration judges to reduce the significant backlogs in our immigration courts.”
Ahead of the new policies and reforms, Sessions also added that they will need an additional 25 immigration judges at detention centers along the border as well as an additional 75 judges in 2018.
“This is the Trump era,” Sessions said just before making it abundantly clear that he plans to secure our borders.
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