The White House - 1600 Daily: ‘Catch and release,’ illegal immigration policy and loop holes explained

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the 140th White House Easter Egg Roll | April 2, 2018 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) 

‘Catch and release,’ explained
“A huge caravan of Central Americans is headed for the U.S., and no one in Mexico dares to stop them,” BuzzFeed News reported on Friday. A number of the caravan’s participants have said they intend to cross the U.S. border illegally once they get here, hoping to slip by American authorities undetected. 

An immigration system that gives everyone a fair chance—including both newcomers and longstanding American citizens—requires respect for our Nation’s laws. Yet catch-and-release loopholes, which are the result of statutory and judicial obstacles, encourage illegal immigration and prevent the removal of these individuals once they arrive. That lawlessness helps no one.
President Donald J. Trump has called upon Congress to enact comprehensive reform that addresses this breakdown in the system. In the absence of lasting solutions, we can only expect the flow of illegal immigration into our country to continue in the years ahead.
Read more: What you need to know about ‘catch and release’ 

Immigration loopholes that put everyone at risk
Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump ordered the National Guard to assist Border Patrol in securing our Nation’s Southwest border with Mexico. The President’s decision reflects a lack of Congressional action to reform our broken immigration system and strengthen security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Grave loopholes in our immigration laws are hindering enforcement efforts. One of the most significant such loopholes relates to unaccompanied alien children (UACs). Many UACs are smuggled into the United States by criminal organizations, and once here, very few will be repatriated.
Most UACs are older teens from Central America. Some are MS-13 gang members who use our immigration system to infiltrate the country, but many other UACs are also at great risk from gang activity. Releasing UACs to sponsors with often unstable living situations makes these teens prime targets for gang recruitment and violence.
Read more about how loopholes in trafficking laws put victims—and American citizens—at risk.
More: The basics you need to know about UAC loopholes
 






Meet Larry Kudlow
President Trump met with senior staff of his National Economic Council yesterday, welcoming new NEC Director Larry Kudlow to the White House. Kudlow is a respected commentator on economic and financial issues, and his vast experience includes a stint of public service in the Reagan Administration.


With Kudlow as a part of his team, “Our Country will have many years of Great Economic & Financial Success, with low taxes, unparalleled innovation, fair trade and an ever expanding labor force leading the way!” President Trump tweeted last month.
The economy is booming under the President’s agenda. Nearly 3 million jobs have been created since Election Day 2016, and more than 4 million American workers have seen a pay raise, bonus, or other benefit from tax cuts. With Kudlow onboard, America’s economic future looks even brighter.
Read more about President Trump’s meeting with Larry Kudlow.

Highlights from the 140th Easter Egg Roll
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the 140th edition of the White House Easter Egg Roll yesterday, with thousands of families swarming the South Lawn for live music, children’s book readings, and other Easter-themed fun.

“Thank you all for being here, folks,” President Trump told an early group of visitors. “It’s an honor to have everybody. On behalf of the Trump family, many of whom are with us right here in the audience, I just want to thank you. This is a special year. Our country is doing great.”

The President thanked the White House Historical Association, the First Lady, and teams of volunteers who did “an incredible job” putting on the event and preserving the sacred White House grounds for all to enjoy. 

Watch: President Trump and the First Lady host the 140th Easter Egg Roll More: Photos from this year’s Easter Egg Roll