Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told lawmakers the caravan of migrants in Mexico can expect “zero tolerance for illegal entry” when they reach the border.
“We have advised in every way possible, that we are aware of, to let those participating in the so-called caravan know that participating in a caravan does not give you any additional legal rights,” Nielsen told the House Homeland Security Committee Thursday.
“If you illegally enter our country you will be referred for prosecution. If you file a false asylum claim you will be referred for prosecution. If you aid and abet or coach someone to break our laws, you will also be referred for prosecution.”
Nielsen’s testimony follows the announcement that the Trump administration is sending more federal immigration attorneys, judges, prosecutors and asylum officers to the border with the aim of swift adjudication of the migrants and, in many cases, returning them to their home countries.