Border Patrol union chief wants border activists prosecuted as ‘smugglers’

PHOENIX — The head of the Border Patrol union said the 1,000 or so immigrants making their way through Mexico to the United States border were “pawns” and the group behind them should be prosecuted as smugglers.

“Those people that help facilitate them cross illegally need to be prosecuted. That’s smuggling,” Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Monday.

“These (immigrants) are pawns,” Judd said.

The Central American migrants, organized by the activists Pubelo Sin Fronteras, will be seeking asylum in the U.S.

In a series of tweets that began Sunday, President Donald Trump referred to the scores of migrants as “caravans” coming to the U.S. He added that put an end to any potential legislation for young immigrants here who are affected by Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals.

Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. “Caravans” coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018

…Congress must immediately pass Border Legislation, use Nuclear Option if necessary, to stop the massive inflow of Drugs and People. Border Patrol Agents (and ICE) are GREAT, but the weak Dem laws don’t allow them to do their job. Act now Congress, our country is being stolen!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2018

“(Pueblo Sin Fronteras) couldn’t care less about the individuals. … They’re coaching them, teaching them what they need to say when they cross the border illegally.”

After that, he said, “They’ll cross the border illegally, they’ll say they’re scared to go back to their country. We’ll process them and then we’ll turn them over to (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and invariably, ICE will then release them.”

Judd said last year four immigrants out of about 200 were granted asylum under similar circumstances. The rest, he said, were let go under the “catch and release” policy, which allows illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico to be freed while they await deportation.

The problem with that, Judd said, “is they just don’t appear for their court hearing and they just disappear into the United States.

“… If we don’t enforce those laws, those laws become moot and they mean nothing.”

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