President Donald Trump has vowed to end an immigration policy known as “catch and release” and took a step toward doing just that.
On April 6th, Trump signed a memorandum ordering the administration to quickly end the immigration policy.
As a part of “catch and release” undocumented immigrants are freed from immigration custody as they await a court hearing.
“The safety and security of the American people is the President’s highest priority, and he will keep his promise to protect our country and to ensure that our laws are respected,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
According to an article in the New York Times, the president’s memo orders several departments including the Department of Homeland Security to report within 45 days what they’re doing to ensure immigrants are detained. Those departments will also be asked to include steps taken to allocate money for detention centers near the borders.
Those security agencies are also being asked to strengthen the process for which immigrants seek asylum at the border to avoid fraud.
This memo comes just days after Trump ordered national guard troops to the southern border.
The New York Times states that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has ordered 4000 troops to the southern border with Mexico to aid in illegal immigrant apprehensions.