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U.S. Border Patrol prosecuting first-time offenders

Posted at 3:44 PM, Jul 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-13 18:44:29-04
Border Patrol's Tucson Sector recently brought back an initiative to deter illegal immigration by prosecuting anyone who attempts to cross the border unlawfully, including first-time offenders.
 
According to a media release, illegally crossing the border is a violation of Title 8, United States Code 1325. If someone is prosecuted for illegally crossing, it results in a misdemeanor charge, with multiple crossings amounting to a felony.
 
The program was reinitiated in June and, in the first 30 days alone, Border Patrol has prosecuted 565 first-time offenders.
 
According to the media release, the purpose of the initiative is to dissuade migrants from risking their lives to cross illegally through the Sonoran Desert.
 
The Tucson Sector has already shifted resources to the west desert, where the majority of rescues, deaths, and apprehensions occur.
 
Agents rescued 80 people who attempted to cross the border illegally, according to the media release.