US Justice Department denies reported freeze in prosecutions of migrant parents

Washington Post had said policy was suspended until US Immigration and Customs Enforcement could find space to detain families

By AP 21 June 2018, 9:09 pm

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Shoes and toys for immigrant children are left at the Tornillo Port of Entry near El Paso, Texas, June 21, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

A spokeswoman for the US Department of Justice said Thursday a report that parents who try to illegally cross the border with children will no longer be criminally prosecuted is inaccurate.

Spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said there has been no change to the “zero tolerance” policy that resulted in the separation of more than 2,300 children from their parents.

In the face of worldwide outrage, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an order to stop the separations. Justice Department lawyers are working on a legal challenge to allow families to be detained longer than 20 days.

The Washington Post reported that the policy was suspended until US Immigration and Customs Enforcement could find space to detain them.

In McAllen Texas, a civil rights group attorney said federal prosecutors unexpectedly dropped misdemeanor charges against 17 adult immigrants who crossed the border with children Thursday.

In Washington D.C., the House of Representative prepared to vote on a Republican immigration bill. Trump suggested that any measure that is approved by the House would be doomed in the Senate anyway.