Report: Federal prosecution of immigrants soared over 2 months in spring
By Garance Burke, APThursday, July 15, 2010
Federal prosecution of immigrants soared in spring
FRESNO, Calif. — Researchers say federal prosecution of immigrants soared to new levels last spring, as the Obama administration kept pace with an aggressive enforcement plan started under President George W. Bush.
A study released Thursday by the nonprofit Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows the 4,145 cases referred to federal prosecutors in March and April was the largest number for any two-month stretch since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was created five years ago.
The federal focus on immigration investigations is creating a heavy burden for busy courts along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The clearinghouse obtained the Department of Justice data under the Freedom of Information Act.
