Trump aide proposes expanded deportation

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Federal authorities would be empowered to immediately deport vastly more unauthorized immigrants as part of a broad crackdown being developed by the Trump administration that would significantly change the way federal agencies enforce immigration laws.

Two draft memos signed Friday by John F. Kelly, the retired Marine general who is secretary of homeland security, outline an aggressive mission for immigration authorities that would rescind policies put in place by President Barack Obama that focused mainly on removing serious criminals.

The directives appear to spare many younger immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, known as Dreamers. But some parents of children who enter unaccompanied could face prosecution under the guidelines.

Among the most significant changes in the memos, which were obtained by McClatchy newspapers and The Washington Post, would be an expansion of expedited removal proceedings to cover thousands more unauthorized immigrants.

Under expedited removals, agents from the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement can deport detainees immediately. Under Obama administration directives, expedited removal was used only within 100 miles of the border for people who had been in the country no longer than 14 days. Kelly’s memos would expand that to those who have been in the country for up to two years anywhere in the nation.

The memos also call for the possible prosecution of the parents of children who arrived as unaccompanied minors and are later reunited with the parents. Under Kelly’s directive, the parents could be charged with smuggling or trafficking.

The White House cautioned Sunday that details of the directives were being reviewed but suggested that final orders might be issued this week. “None of those are final and have not been signed off by the White House,” said Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a deputy press secretary for Trump.