NPZ Immigration Law Blog

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ramping up the zero-tolerance policies along the U.S. - Mexico border. The DHS is creating a new program to refer all unauthorized border crossers to the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecution.

On May 8, 2018, in remarks before Arizona state criminal investigative agencies, Mr. Sessions clarified that anyone who smuggles noncitizens across the border, even their own children, will be prosecuted and separated from their family.

"If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It's that simple," said Sessions. "If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child may be separated from you as required by law.”

Currently, most people who cross into the country illegally are sent back across the border without facing criminal charges. This change would cause many more immigrants to be tried in court and imprisoned for up to six months—or longer in the case of repeat offenders—an expensive scheme aimed at deterring future unlawful immigrants.

The policy is also likely to cause parents to be separated from their children, rather than landing in family detention or released, as is often currently the case.

If you should have any questions or need more information about the way that the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Laws may impact you, your family, your friends or your colleagues, please feel free to contact the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers at the NPZ Law Group – VISASERVE – U.S. Immigration and Nationality Lawyers by e-mailing to us at info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 (x107) or by visiting our Law Firm’s website at http://www.visaserve.com