The crazy system

As a follow-up to the post below on the prosecution of illegal entry, I am posting this critique, from a federal judge, on prosecuting immigration law violations. See, http://www.statesman.com/news/local/federal-judge-questions-immigration-prosecutions-216667.html.

From The American-Statesman of Austin, TX:

In an order filed Friday, a federal judge in Austin questioned U.S. prosecutors for seeking criminal convictions in court against some illegal immigrants, writing that the practice "presents a cost to the American taxpayer ... that is neither meritorious nor reasonable."

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks wrote in a decision that it has cost more than $13,350to jail three men and noted that charging them criminally means additional costs and work for prosecutors, defense lawyers, court personnel and others.

"The expenses of prosecuting illegal entry and re-entry cases (rather than deportation) on aliens without any significant criminal history is simply mind-boggling."

He said the assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case could not state "a reason that these three defendants were prosecuted rather than simply removing them from the United States."