Over 840 illegal aliens charged with immigration crimes

Federal prosecutors have charged over 840 illegal immigrants with immigration crimes in the southern U.S. This occurred during the third week of March as part of an initiative named Operation Take Back America. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced these charges, emphasizing their role in curbing illegal immigration and combating crime connected to cartels and other criminal organizations. These charges were filed across Arizona, Texas, California, and New Mexico. In Arizona, there were 217 cases, including 91 for re-entering the country after deportation. There were also charges against 23 individuals for smuggling immigrants into the U.S. In Central California, 17 individuals faced charges, with some having prior felony convictions. The DOJ noted that re-entering the U.S. after deportation can result in up to two years in federal prison. If that individual has a felony record, the sentence could be 10 to 20 years. Texas had the highest number of charges, with 246 in the Southern District and 210 in the Western District. Last week, federal agents also arrested 81 illegal aliens in Kentucky as part of the operation. Additionally, ICE is close to reaching an agreement with the IRS to access taxpayer information. This would help locate illegal immigrants subject to deportation, marking a shift from previous IRS privacy policies. This move coincides with President Trump's ongoing efforts to enhance deportation measures as part of his administration's immigration strategy.