Southern Texas U.S. Attorneys File 473 New Immigration Cases in One Week Amid Border Crackdown

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas filed hundreds of new immigration-related criminal cases this week, continuing an accelerated border enforcement campaign that now spans months.

A total of 473 cases were filed from Feb. 20 through Feb. 26, including illegal entry, felony reentry after removal, and human smuggling charges, district officials confirmed.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 202 people face criminal complaints for illegal entry, 244 are charged with felony reentry, and 23 individuals are accused of human smuggling during the week’s enforcement actions.

Many of those charged have prior felony convictions, prosecutors said, including narcotics, violent crime, and past immigration offenses.

“These cases were referred and supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, Border Patrol, DEA, the FBI and others,” the office said in a press release.

Related: Judges Demand Answers From Trump Admin After 150+ Immigration Court Order Breaches

“This nationwide initiative marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel illegal immigration and protect our communities,” U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said.

The enforcement surge is part of Operation Take Back America, which federal officials describe as prioritizing criminal prosecutions tied to border security.

Multiple defendants already have been sentenced to federal prison for unlawful reentry after removal, prosecutors noted.

Federal court dockets remain heavily scheduled in South Texas as weekly filings continue at historically high levels.

Prosecutors and law enforcement partners plan additional charges and detentions in coming weeks as part of the ongoing initiative.

Related: New Poll Shows Trump Approval at Just 36% as Public Doubts Grow on Immigration