The U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector has been continuing a policy of prosecuting first time offenders it started last spring after President Donald Trump took office.
The agency has said the prosecution program lowers the recidivism rate in other of its sectors.
"It is not a new policy. It’s something that’s been in effect for a few months now and we just want to remind the public that it’s all of Tucson sector to include Nogales," said Border Patrol spokeswoman Stephanie Dixson.
A first arrest results in a misdemeanor charge, subsequent arrests in felonies and ultimately a permanent ban from the United States.
