Catch and Release
There are a number of factors that are driving the illegal immigration that we are seeing. Many point to the endemic violence in Central America. Without a doubt violence and instability in Central America is a factor. It is not however what is driving the problem. The single biggest factor driving our illegal immigration right now is our catch and release program.
When Border Patrol Agents arrest illegal immigrants, we interview them. Most illegal immigrants believe that they will either not be caught, or even if they are caught, they will not be deported back to their home country. Most believe that they will simply be issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) and will be released.
Candidly, they are not wrong. If you are an unaccompanied minor we will not only release you, but will escort you to your final destination. If you are a family unit, we will release you. If you claim credible fear, we will release you. If you are a single male and we do not physically see you cross the border and you claim that you have been in this country since 2014, we will release you. Do you have to offer any proof that you have been here the last two years – absolutely not. We will take your word for it.
We have encountered individuals in the Rio Grande Valley who are still wet from crossing the river, who have claimed they had been in the United States since 2014. Under current Administration policy we processed them and let them go – sometimes without even issuing an NTA.
The illegal aliens that we apprehend are practical people. Before making what is a very dangerous journey and risking a lifetime of savings, they weigh the costs and the benefits. Right now with catch and release, the costs are lower than the benefits. As long as we continue with this policy they will continue to come.
Twenty years ago we faced a similar problem with Brazilian illegal immigrants. If we did not have enough detention space and started to release illegal immigrants with NTAs, they would flood that sector. The second we held illegal aliens in custody pending deportation, the flood of Brazilians stopped overnight. I know that if we simply remembered this lesson once again we could decrease the flow of illegal immigrants attempting to cross.