Gavel Grab

In Texas, a federal judge has publicly questioned the practice of U.S. prosecutors seeking criminal convictions for  some illegal immigrants accused of illegal re-entry,  who the judge said had no significant criminal histories.

The practice “presents a cost to the American taxpayer … that is neither meritorious nor reasonable,” Judge Sam Sparks wrote in an order, according to an article in the Austin American-Statesman.

“The expenses of prosecuting illegal entry and re-entry cases (rather than deportation) on aliens without any significant criminal history is simply mind-boggling,” Sparks said. The newspaper reported that until  about two years ago, when enforcement strategy was shifted, such illegal immigrants would have been simply deported and not prosecuted.

The judge’s docket, and many others in Texas, is bulging with defendants facing immigration crime charges.

You can learn more about the federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigration, and its consequences for the courts, from Justice at Stake’s issues page.