AG Sessions Selects SDTX to Receive Additional Resources to Combat the Southwest Border Crisis

HOUSTON - Attorney General Jeff Sessions has selected the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) to receive additional personnel for the fight against illegal immigration, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

A total of 35 new Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) positions have been allocated to the five U.S. Attorney’s Offices along the Southwest border, eight of which were dedicated to the SDTX.

The additional prosecutors will be utilized to handle the prosecutions of improper entry, illegal reentry and alien smuggling cases.

“The SDTX regularly prosecutes multiple thousands of illegal entry, illegal reentry and smuggling cases per year,” said Patrick. “These new attorneys will go towards increased enforcement of the administration’s zero tolerance policy towards those who illegally enter the county and other immigration matters. Our offices in Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville and Corpus Christi are the front line in this effort.”

“The American people made very clear their desire to secure our borders and prioritize the public safety and national security of our homeland,” said Sessions. “Promoting and enforcing the rule of law is essential to our republic. By deploying these additional resources to the Southwest border, the Justice Department and the Trump Administration take yet another step in protecting our nation, its borders and its citizens. It must be clear that there is no right to demand entry without justification.”

Due to a recent increase in the number of apprehensions at the Southwest border, the new AUSA positions will assist in the prosecutions of illegal reentry (8 U.S.C. § 1326), alien smuggling (8 U.S.C. § 1324) and improper entry (8 U.S.C. § 1325) pursuant to the Justice Department’s “Zero-Tolerance Policy” Sessions announced April 6, 2018, and its prior April 11, 2017, directive to prioritize charging immigration offenses.

A decision on how the new SDTX positions will be specifically allocated throughout the district has yet to be determined.