DOJ Announces Priorities to Deal with Immigration Situation
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced new priorities on Wednesday to help address the surge of immigrants crossing into the country.
The series of steps, announced by Deputy U.S. Attorney General James Cole, includes refocusing immigration court resources, providing additional training and support to address violence in Central America, and redoubling efforts to work with other agencies and the Mexican government to investigate those who smuggle immigrants into the U.S. “Individuals who embark on the perilous journey from Central America to the United States are subject to violent crime, abuse, and extortion as they rely on dangerous human smuggling networks to transport them through Central America and Mexico,” Cole said.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review will “refocus its resources to prioritize cases involving migrants who have recently crossed the southwest border whom the Department of Homeland Security has placed into removal proceedings,” Cole announced. The EOIR will also hire more immigration judges and publish regulation for appointment of temporary immigration judges.
The DHS will also seek additional funding to assist Central American countries in “combatting transnational crime and the threat posed by criminal gangs.”
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