The Department of Justice has started issuing charges against members of a caravan parked at the southern border with Mexico.
Late Monday night, charges were filed against 11 members for illegally entering the United States. One of the caravan members has been deported before.
“When respect for the rule of law diminishes, so too does our ability to protect our great nation, its borders, and its citizens,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions released in a statement. “The United States will not stand by as our immigration laws are ignored and our nation’s safety is jeopardized. U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman and his team should be commended for quickly filing illegal entry charges for individuals apprehended along the southwestern border. We will continue to work with our partners in each U.S. Attorney’s Offices to aggressively pursue prosecutions of criminal illegal entry.”
According to DOJ, the members charged purposely evaded immigration authorities by entering the country at "a time and place other than as designated by Immigration Officers, and eluded examination and inspection by Immigration Officers."
“The American Dream has beckoned immigrants from across the globe because of the promise that prosperity and success are within reach for all,” United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Adam Braverman said. “Those immigrants have contributed their voices and perspectives to make up our uniquely American experience. But the foundation for the American Dream, and what allows our democracy to flourish, is commitment to the rule of law. These eleven defendants face charges now because they believed themselves to be above the law. Those seeking entry into the United States must pledge fidelity to the law, not break them, or else face criminal prosecution.”
The members of the caravan, made up of illegal immigrants from Honduras, arrived in the United States late last week after Mexico failed to stop them. They claim to be seeking asylum in America.
