On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions outlined the Trump administration’s immigration reform agenda, calling for tougher enforcement of existing laws and a crackdown on illegal immigration.
In a speech to the National Sheriffs’ Association, Sessions said the administration would focus on “ending the lawlessness” at the border and in the interior of the United States. He said the administration would prioritize the removal of criminal aliens, those who have committed serious crimes, and those who have overstayed their visas.
Sessions also said the administration would seek to end “catch and release” policies, which allow illegal immigrants to be released into the United States while they await a hearing. He said the administration would also seek to end the practice of “sanctuary cities,” which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The attorney general also said the administration would seek to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to remain in the country. He said the program was an “unconstitutional exercise of authority” by the Obama administration.
Sessions also said the administration would seek to end “chain migration,” which allows immigrants to bring family members to the United States. He said the administration would seek to limit family-based immigration to spouses and minor children.
Finally, Sessions said the administration would seek to end the visa lottery program, which randomly awards visas to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. He said the program was “not based on merit” and was “not in the national interest.”
The attorney general’s speech was met with criticism from immigrant rights groups, who said the administration’s policies would lead to the separation of families and the deportation of people who have lived in the United States for years.
It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will be able to implement its immigration reform agenda. The administration has already faced legal challenges to some of its policies, and it is likely that any new policies will face similar challenges.