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Over 900 Illegal Immigrants Charged with Immigration Violations in Just One Week, DOJ Reports


The Western District of Texas recorded the highest volume of cases, followed closely by the Southern District of Texas.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, over 900 undocumented immigrants faced immigration-related charges in the first week of April.

The charges originated from U.S. attorneys in six southwestern border districts as a part of “Operation Take Back America,” a national effort designed to tackle illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal groups in the U.S.

These border districts encompass Arizona, Central California, Southern California, New Mexico, Southern Texas, and Western Texas.

Among them, the Western District of Texas reported the most cases, totaling 259 immigration-related criminal filings. The DOJ did not disclose specifics regarding the nature of the offenses.

Meanwhile, the Southern District of Texas followed with 225 cases. This comprised 70 individuals charged with illegal reentry, 144 with illegal entry, and others facing allegations of human smuggling, firearms violations, and assault on a federal officer.

The DOJ noted that a significant section of those charged with illegal reentry had prior felony convictions, including narcotics offenses and violent or sexual crimes.

In Arizona, 204 immigrants were charged. This included 83 for illegal reentry, 107 for illegal entry, and 14 facing human smuggling charges.

The Southern District of California reported 97 cases, with charges encompassing transporting undocumented immigrants for monetary gain, public official bribery, illegal reentry, and the importation of controlled substances.

Central California’s District filed charges against 24 undocumented immigrants for allegedly reentering the U.S. after being deported, some of whom had felony convictions prior to their removal.

In New Mexico, 56 immigrants were charged with human smuggling and illegal reentry after deportation, most of whom had previous aggravated felony convictions, according to the DOJ.

During the last week of March, nearly 1,000 immigrants faced immigration law violations in the six southwestern border districts.

The Western District of Texas led with 261 cases, followed by the District of Arizona with 260, and the Southern District of Texas with 257, as reported by the DOJ.
“We appreciate the diligent efforts of our border prosecutors for their vital work in these cases and their commitment to restoring safety in our border regions,” stated the DOJ in a news release.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implored undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S., stating that all immigrants are obligated to register with federal authorities. Failure to do so could lead to fines, potential imprisonment, or both.
As per the DHS website, all individuals aged 14 and above who did not undergo fingerprinting or registration upon applying for a U.S. visa, and those who have been in the U.S. for more than 30 days, must seek registration and fingerprinting.
“If you depart now, you may have the chance to return and experience our freedoms and pursue the American dream,” stated a DHS representative on February 25. “The Trump administration will uphold all our immigration laws—we will not selectively enforce them.”
This initiative follows Trump’s executive order mandating the DHS to implement policies and procedures encouraging illegal immigrants to voluntarily exit the country promptly and evaluate penalties for entering the country unlawfully.
Trump has issued multiple executive actions aimed at discouraging illegal immigration, which include cancelling the CBP One app that previously allowed individuals without valid entry documents to arrange appointments at border crossings.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made approximately 32,809 arrests within the first 50 days of the Trump administration, nearly equaling the total number of arrests conducted throughout the entire fiscal year 2024, as reported by the DHS.

Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.



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