U.S. immigration prosecutions soar in 2008

LAREDO, Texas, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The number of U.S. prosecutions of immigration crimes nearly doubled in 2008, straining resources for other felonies and crimes, federal prosecutors say.

Researchers from Syracuse (N.Y.) University found more than 70,000 immigration cases were prosecuted last year, apparently at the expense of such cases as drug prosecutions, which were down by 20 percent in the last five years, the New York Times reported. Organized crime prosecutions fell by 20 percent and weapons cases fell 19 percent, the research said.

In Laredo, Texas, senior Judge George Kazen told The New York Times he was concerned weapons smuggling from Mexico wasn't being adequately addressed.

"The U.S. attorney isn't bringing me those cases," he said. "They're just catching foot soldiers coming across the border. ... But they will tell you that they don't have the resources to drive it and develop a conspiracy case."

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard also said he was upset with the federal policy.

"I have seen a national abdication by the Justice Department," he told the Times.