Brett Worsencroft, president of the Border Patrol union for Yuma Sector border agents, said the U.S. Attorneys Office has in fact ended prosecutions of first-time offenders. Operation Streamline is like one of the last strongholds we have as a deterrent. Our manpower is dwindling on a daily basis, Worsencroft said. The fence can only do so much. Worsencroft said the program was a large factor in the steep decline in border crossings in Yuma because it sent a message that even first-time offenders would serve jail time and because it allowed agents to focus their attention on drug smugglers and other dangerous criminals. Getting rid of prosecutions for first-time offenders is a free ticket into the U.S. for those who cross the border without legal status, he said. Operation Streamline is used as a deterrent. Federal judges sentence large groups of immigrants within days of their arrival into the U.S. in fast court proceedings that include an arraignment, plea and sentencing in the span of one day. Most immigrants who participate in the program plead guilty to entering the country illegally and receive sentences of 30 to 120 days. Many get credit for time served.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 16:07:06 +0000
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