In
the past, controlling the number of people crossing the border illegally was a
major challenge for Border Patrol Agents. But thanks to increased funding America’s 1,954
mile border is better protected.
The
number of agents has doubled and they have installed cameras, sensors and other
technological devices to curtail illegal border crossings. Now that they are
able to handle the 327,577 border crossing they are looking to change the catch
and release policy.
Illegal
immigrants caught at the border are generally caught and sent back to Mexico often in
the towns where they lived, although it varies from region to region. Very few
were prosecuted because of the cost to the American taxpayer. This catch and
release policy did little to discourage illegal immigration.
The
Border Patrol now intends to use tougher measures when they catch a person
crossing the border. This emphasizes the need to obtain legal documentation by
employing an immigration attorney.
Some
the tougher consequences call for the immigrant to be returned to Mexico on their first offense but hundreds of
miles away from their hometowns or to Mexico
City. Second offenders may face criminal prosecution
either in the United States
or preferably in Mexico.
The new measures will vary but Border Patrol agents are going to get tougher on
illegal border crossings.
Gaining
legal status in the U.S.
can be complicated and time consuming but an immigration lawyer can help make the process simpler. It may be
tempting to bypass the laws and enter or remain in the states illegally, but an
immigration attorney can agree that
the consequences are not worth the risk.
