There's already a backlog in the court system regarding incidents involving people who reportedly entered New Jersey or other states without proper immigration paperwork. Newly proposed immigration and naturalization policy changes may cause further delays and cause more overcrowding in immigration detention centers throughout the nation. Immigrant advocates are opposed to the federal government's proposal that all immigrants crossing United States borders without immigration papers in order should face criminal charges.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he questions whether the nation's detention facilities could handle the influx of new cases that would be heaped upon them if such policy changes take place. The Attorney General also expressed his concern for children who may be accompanying their parents across a border. Current border patrol practices include trying to keep families together to avoid separating children from their parents.

The new policy would likely increase incidents of family separations. Thousands of children would be at risk for being placed in shelters without their mothers or fathers. Up until now, those without immigration paperwork who are stopped at borders are often turned away and simply sent back to their countries of origin, especially if they have no past criminal convictions.

Attorney General Sessions also issued a public reminder that the nation's borders are not open and all immigrants who wish to come to the United States to live should do so through proper legal channels. Should the new immigration and naturalization policies take hold, thousands of immigrants will be held in detention to face criminal charges in the United States rather than simply being denied entry. Any New Jersey family currently facing immigration detention problems may reach out for legal support by requesting a meeting with an experienced immigration law attorney.

Source: Los Angeles Times, “Children are likely to be separated from parents illegally crossing the border under new Trump administration policy“, Joseph Tanfani, Cindy Carcamo, May 7, 2018