AG Nominee Garland: 'I Haven't Thought About' Whether Illegally Entering the US Should Remain a Crime

Attorney General nominee 👤Merrick Garland said he hasn’t “thought about” whether illegal entry into the United States should remain a crime during his confirmation hearing on Monday.

Garland, a federal appeals court judge, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for seven hours on Monday and was questioned about how the Justice Department would enforce 🛂Immigration laws if he was confirmed.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri asked Garland if he believed “illegal entry at America’s border should remain a crime.”

“I haven’t thought about that question. Uh, uh, I just haven’t thought about that question,” Garland responded.

“I think the president has made clear that we are a country of, with borders and with a concern about national security. I don’t know of a proposal to decriminalize but still make it unlawful to enter. I just don’t know the answer to that question. I haven’t thought about it.”

Hawley followed up by asking if Garland would “continue to prosecute unlawful border crossings” if he were confirmed.

“Well, this is, again, a question of allocation of resources,” the judge replied.

“The department will prevent unlawful crossing,” Garland said. “I don’t know. You know, I have to admit, I just don’t know exactly what the conditions are and how this is done. I think if — I don’t know what the current program even is with respect to this.