It resulted in multiple sectors along the US-Mexico border where anyone picked up for allegedly attempting to enter the US without proper documentation, is swooped off to the courtroom for prosecution. The accused are charged with illegally entered the United States at a place not designated for immigration purposes. They're arrested, charged and tried in groups. At one point they were even instructed to plead 'guilty' in a group. However, now they get to say 'guilty' individually. Still the accused are receiving counsel in groups and being tried in groups.
Federal Magistrate Judge Karen Molzen wrote:
You will be deported from the United States and with that deportation and this criminal conviction it will be difficult or impossible for you to enter the United States lawfully in the future. (from the Tucson Citizen US Border Patrol Report Sept. 2, 2010
Prior to the streamlining, most folks unsuccessfully attempting the cross-over to our land of honey, were simply brought back over the border and released (it reminds me of have-a-heart animal traps). So, now they're convicted, tried and then brought back and released but with a US criminal record.
Anyway, the program is deemed successful and is likely going to be expanded. I wasn't aware of it.
Is it a deterrent?
NPR wrote:
Filiberto Robledo-Aguilar was among a group deported to Nogales. He went to the Center for Attention to Deported Migrants for dinner. Robledo-Aguilar seemed to understand what happened to him in court.
"They did explain our rights to us," he says, "and if we wanted to waive our rights we could leave voluntarily. Or we could stay and fight and spend I don't know how long in jail."
But he was also confused. He said he didn't have a lawyer — though he must have. He said he doesn’t understand why last year, when he crossed into Texas, he was returned to Mexico without going to court.
Regardless, Robledo-Aguilar is not deterred by his conviction. He says he'll try to cross again.
"I'm not against the authorities or anything like that, but I need to work," he says. STORY
"They did explain our rights to us," he says, "and if we wanted to waive our rights we could leave voluntarily. Or we could stay and fight and spend I don't know how long in jail."
But he was also confused. He said he didn't have a lawyer — though he must have. He said he doesn’t understand why last year, when he crossed into Texas, he was returned to Mexico without going to court.
Regardless, Robledo-Aguilar is not deterred by his conviction. He says he'll try to cross again.
"I'm not against the authorities or anything like that, but I need to work," he says. STORY
Are the folks shuffled through our courts receiving proper due process?
If they are, why aren't all cases reviewed and adjudicated so quickly. Cripes it took my kid 3 months to get a trial for a driving violation.
Edit - Here is an Operation Streamline fact sheet.
Edited, Sep 13th 2010 3:18pm by Elinda