US criminal prosecutions for immigration crimes on the rise, study finds

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Criminal prosecutions for immigration-related offenses have increased since the start of the Biden administration. Between February and April 2024, prosecutions for migrant-related offenses increased by 21%, compared to the same period the previous year.

Susan B Long, professor at Syracuse University

“We have data, as you know, that would be compiled by many local law enforcement agencies, not necessarily the federal government, we focus on the federal government. They produce data on every single migrant that they deport.”

The author of the Syracuse University report said she collected the information to determine whether migrants have criminal records based on checks with all law enforcement agencies, particularly the FBI, which keeps a fingerprint registry if someone is detained.

Susan B Long, professor at Syracuse University

“It basically shows us that immigrants are rarely deported for crimes committed within the country.”

Attorney Héctor Quiroga explained that, according to the report, criminal prosecution of immigration crimes has increased since the beginning of this administration and reflects a 57 percent increase in criminal proceedings against migrants who are deported and return to the country illegally.

Hector Quiroga, immigration attorney

“What this means is that the administration is trying to get prosecutors to go out and penalize people who have committed crimes in the United States and are immigrants in order to seek deportation. And the government is taking this seriously, possibly to bring numbers to the upcoming elections.”

New prosecutions for illegal reentry reached their highest levels in April 2024. Arizona and the Western District of Texas are the most active among the federal judicial districts along the U.S.-Mexico border. Paula Diaz, Voice of America.