Four California House Republicans have raised concerns over a significant decline in federal prosecutions of illegal immigrants with criminal convictions who were caught illegally re-entering the U.S. The lawmakers, in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, highlighted the issue amidst a surge of over 7 million illegal border crossings since President Biden took office.
The letter, signed by U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert, John Duarte, Michelle Steel, and Jay Obernolte, emphasized the potential threat posed by convicted criminal immigrants to community safety. They requested information from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the decrease in prosecutions and sought clarity on prosecutorial guidelines for previously deported illegal immigrants with criminal violations.
Former California state Rep. Bill Essayli, who previously prosecuted cases for the DOJ in the Central District of California, expressed concern over the decline in prosecutions for felony re-entry cases. He noted a stark drop in such cases being pursued, from hundreds in previous years to just five in 2023.
Essayli highlighted the legal significance of prosecuting individuals who commit felonies by re-entering the U.S. illegally after deportation. He pointed out that while some may view these cases as burdensome, they are essential for upholding the law and ensuring public safety.
The lawmakers and Essayli attributed the rise in illegal crossings and the decrease in prosecutions to President Biden's border policies, which have faced criticism for contributing to a national security crisis. They emphasized the distinction between migrants seeking work and convicted criminals re-entering the country with harmful intentions.
Essayli underscored the importance of addressing the issue, stating that allowing convicted criminals to roam freely in the U.S. poses a significant risk to public safety. He criticized the leniency shown towards such individuals by the U.S. attorney's office, characterizing them as the most dangerous segment of illegal immigrants.
