Tucson courts brace for increased migrant prosecutions
The nation's busiest border patrol sector has begun a new program to prosecute apprehended migrants, rather than just deport them back across the border.
Operation Streamline was piloted in border towns in Texas. In Tucson, where border patrol agents arrested and deported an average of 1,000 illegal immigrants a day last year, the program's startup will be limited to 40 cases a day.
But even that small amount is expected to put a huge strain on the local judicial system and cost millions of dollars a year for housing, transporting, prosecuting and defending those who are charged. TED ROBBINS on NPR's All Things Considered.