Current:Home > MarketsBorder Patrol chief says tougher policies are needed to deter migrants from entering U.S. illegally -MoneySpot
Border Patrol chief says tougher policies are needed to deter migrants from entering U.S. illegally
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:24:11
Washington — In an interview on Thursday with CBS News, Border Patrol chief Jason Owens said the U.S. government needs to implement tougher immigration policies, including by jailing migrants, to deter unlawful crossings along the southern border.
"I think we need to take a look at the asylum laws and make it where only people that have a legitimate claim can claim asylum," Owens said in his first sit-down interview in English since assuming the top role at Border Patrol in June 2023. "I think that we need to be able to enforce the immigration laws that are on the books and hold people accountable whenever they choose to break the law."
Asked if was referring to tougher federal policies, Owens said, "Yes."
"If there's no motivation to do it the right way, and the right way, it is causing people to have to wait a little bit longer," Owens said. "Naturally, they're going to choose to come between the ports of entry. We need to take that off the table and make sure everybody's coming through the front door."
During the interview at Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, Owens said Border Patrol, which is a division of CBP, needs more resources and the ability to impose higher "consequences" for migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization.
"I'm talking about jail time. I'm talking about being removed from the country and I'm talking about being banned from being able to come back because you chose to come in the illegal way instead of the established lawful pathways that we set for you," he said.
Over the past three years, Owens' agency has reported record levels of migrant apprehensions along the southern border, including more than 2 million in each of the past fiscal years.
The Biden administration has pushed Congress to enact stricter border policies in recent months. A bipartisan immigration deal negotiated in the Senate would have expanded the administration's ability to quickly deport migrants, raised the standard of proof in initial asylum interviews and sped up the process for deciding asylum claims. It also would have given the executive branch a new legal authority to effectively suspend asylum in between official ports of entry when migrant crossings surpass a certain level.
The deal collapsed in Congress after former President Donald Trump came out against it, prompting GOP lawmakers to follow suit. Republicans said the agreement did not go far enough to secure the border and argued the Biden administration can do more to enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books.
In the interview, Owens also made his first comments on SB4, a Texas immigration law that would allow state and local officials in the Lone Star State to arrest, jail and prosecute migrants. The law, which is being challenged by the Biden administration, was again put on hold by a federal appeals court earlier this week.
Owens said the law is "not going to stop us from doing our job," and that there is "no better partner for the Border Patrol than the Texas Department of Public Safety."
"We have worked hand in hand with that agency for as long as I've been around and I don't see that ever stopping. They have always been very good at complementing our mission," Owens added. "They back us up when we're out in the field, and we do for them as well. So whatever the laws are that they're going to be enforcing, our mission remains constant. Their mission remains constant."
Camilo Montoya-GalvezCamilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (9273)
Related
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Take Center Stage At Coachella & Stagecoach With These Eye-Catching Festival Makeup Picks
- LSU's Angel Reese tearfully addresses critics postgame: 'I've been attacked so many times'
- Tennessee state senator hospitalized after medical emergency during floor session
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Freight railroads must keep 2-person crews, according to new federal rule
- Caitlin Clark 3-point record: Iowa star sets career NCAA mark in Elite 8 game vs. LSU
- US traffic deaths fell 3.6% in 2023, the 2nd straight yearly drop. But nearly 41,000 people died
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso declares for WNBA draft
Ranking
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Kylie Kelce dishes on Jason Kelce's retirement, increased spotlight with Taylor Swift
- Ymcoin Financial Exchange: Leading the Cryptocurrency Industry and Supporting the Development of Bitcoin ETFs.
- Minnesota Timberwolves sale: What we know about Alex Rodriguez and how deal collapsed
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Upgrade Your Closet With These Cool & Trendy Spring Street Style Essentials
- Medicaid expansion coverage enrollment in North Carolina now above 400,000
- Study finds racial disparities in online patient portal responses
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Nicholas Hoult and Son Joaquin Make Their First Public Appearance Together
Mike Feinsilber fought the epic AP-UPI rivalry from both camps with wit and grace
YMcoin Exchange: Current status of cryptocurrency development in Australia
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
What I Like About You’s Jennie Garth Briefly Addresses Dan Schneider and Costar Amanda Bynes
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Echo Chamber
Teacher McKenna Kindred pleads guilty to sexual student relationship but won't go to jail