Highlights
– Central District of California has near 400 percent increase in illegal immigrant related prosecution since 2001
– Increased cooperation and targeting of illegal alien violators contributes to surge
– Despite increased arrests and prosecutions, the number of illegal immigrants residing in the United States will likely remain steady in the near-term
Recent statistics released by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) Central District of California indicate a boost in illegal immigration prosecutions, a reflection of increased law enforcement targeting and ongoing cooperation amongst security officials at all levels. Due to the heightened environment in the district, the 2008 fiscal year has yielded a total of 657 federal prosecutions, a 20 percent increase from the previous year, and a projected pace that will surpass by close to 400 percent the number of cases filed in 2000-2001.
These figures are also being replicated in other parts of the US, as law enforcement targeting of illegal immigrants, specifically those with known criminal records, is increasing nationwide. The most important contributor to the rising numbers is the enhanced coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement, who now participate in joint task forces and share information during routine arrests. This increased information sharing has enabled security officials to act faster, ultimately leading to increased apprehensions, prosecutions, and deportations.
Despite the rising prosecutions, however, illegal immigration will continue to be a nationwide problem until a comprehensive immigration program can be enacted to dissuade illegal immigrants from entering the US. However, cooperative law enforcement and prosecutions will go a long way in addressing the criminal activities associated with illegal aliens.
Cooperation and Targeting
The success seen in the Los Angeles area has resulted from coordinated efforts between federal, state and local authorities. Both the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department have increased efforts to focus on criminal illegal immigrants, and federal agents also are targeting those individuals who ignore deportation orders or commit crimes.
Cooperation between prosecuting venues has also helped the numbers, as the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has temporarily assigned several attorneys to assist with federal prosecutions related to immigration issues. As such, federal prosecutors have filed more cases against immigrants with criminal records for entering the country illegally than for any other crime. Sentencing for such offenses generally ranges at two to three years, then mandatory deportation.
The increasing prosecution numbers in California are also being mirrored in other parts of the US, as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are being conducted with greater frequency in both large and small population areas. Recent notable operations led by ICE have included:
• August 20, 2008 – ICE agents arrest 42 illegal aliens working at Dulles International Airport as part of a critical infrastructure protection (CIP) operation. ICE agents, with support of airport security agencies, arrested the illegal aliens just inside the airport grounds at a checkpoint established to verify the identity and immigration status of workers entering a service gate. Most arrestees worked on construction projects at the airport.
• June 2008 – ICE fugitive operations teams arrest 24 illegal aliens in Nashville during a five-day law enforcement operation. The operation was carried out by deportation officers assigned to the ICE New Orleans and Memphis Fugitive Operations Teams.
• May 2008 – ICE Fugitive Operations Teams arrested more than 3,400 fugitives and immigration violators across the country.
• April 2008 – As part of “Operation Return to Sender,” a nationwide ICE program to reduce illegal immigration, ICE Fugitive Operation Teams based in New Jersey arrested 217 immigration violators and alien fugitives.
According to most recent government statistics, ICE deportations nationally have increased since 2005, when a total of 205,000 illegal immigrants were deported to a total of approximately 285,000 in 2007.This year is also keeping pace and is projected to match or edge last year’s number.
Future Trends
A recent report prepared by the Center for Immigration Studies, a non-profit think tank, indicates that the increased targeting and prosecution may ultimately be slowing the issue of illegal immigration, as more individuals are choosing not to illegally enter the US for fear of arrest. The report indicated that the nationwide number of illegal immigrants declined by roughly 11 percent during the period of August 2007 – May 2008, based on US census data. However, such a decline could also be based on current economic conditions coupled with the more aggressive law enforcement presence.
Either way, illegal immigration has become a priority for all levels of law enforcement as evidenced by current prosecution trends, arrest and deportation statistics. As such, successful targeting using a coordinated effort will likely continue to impact the number of illegal aliens apprehended in the US in the mid to long-term.
