The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded the powers of US law enforcement officers, allowing them to deport illegal immigrants under the so-called expedited procedure, that is, without an immigration court order.
"This change will enhance national security and public safety while reducing government costs by facilitating speedy immigration decisions," the department said in an order issued the day after US President Donald Trump's inauguration.
According to DHS, this decision "will ensure the speedy removal from the United States of those who do not have the right to enter and remain in the country, as well as the right to protection from removal."
As The New York Times explains, earlier the accelerated deportation procedure was used mainly in the southern states, which face a large flow of illegal immigrants. Now it is allowed to deport them in the accelerated procedure throughout the United States.
