Federal authorities along the U.S. southern border charged more than 840 illegal immigrants with immigration-related crimes during the third week of March as part of Operation Take Back America.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday that it plays a crucial role in the nationwide initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and keeping communities safe from violent offenders.
Massive Crackdown Across Four States
U.S. attorneys in Arizona, Texas, California, and New Mexico filed charges against over 840 individuals for violating immigration laws.
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Arizona: Prosecutors charged 217 individuals with immigration-related offenses. The U.S. filed 91 cases against immigrants who re-entered illegally and 103 cases for illegal entry. Additionally, 15 cases were filed against 23 individuals accused of smuggling illegal immigrants.
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California: Central California prosecutors charged 17 individuals with illegal re-entry. Many had prior felony convictions, including assault. One suspect faces murder charges, while another was arrested for allegedly committing assault with intent to rape.
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New Mexico: Authorities filed 46 cases for illegal re-entry, four for alien smuggling, and 27 for illegal entry.
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Texas: This state saw the highest number of charges, with 246 cases in the Southern District and 210 in the Western District.
Serious Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Under U.S. law, illegal re-entry after deportation carries a prison sentence of up to two years. However, for those with prior felony convictions, the sentence can range from 10 to 20 years.
The Southern District of California prosecuted over 90 border-related cases, including alien smuggling, illegal re-entry, and drug trafficking.
ICE Stepping Up Enforcement
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 81 illegal immigrants in Kentucky as part of the operation. ICE and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are also finalizing a deal that would grant ICE access to taxpayer records to locate illegal immigrants subject to deportation.
This agreement marks a historic shift in IRS policy, which has traditionally kept taxpayer information confidential.
Trump’s Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
As part of his campaign promise, President Donald Trump continues to push for stronger immigration enforcement. His administration is leveraging every available resource to support immigration officials in their effort.
