Biden Administration pursuing migrants who have missed their court dates

The Biden administration will send court documents to thousands of immigrants who crossed the border illegally and entered the U.S. without being fully processed. The effort is part of US authorities’ attempt to cope with the influx of migrants reaching the border.

Dubbed “Operation Horizon,” the plan is being executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Approximately 78,000 migrants who were paroled or released under prosecutorial discretion will receive the court documents, said an ICE spokesperson.

Migrants who are released into the US usually receive a Notice to Appear (NTA), requiring them to show up to an immigration court to begin their proceedings.

The process was abandoned in recent months by border patrol officers due to the large influx of migrants crossing the border.

Instead, illegal immigrants were released with Notices to Report (NTR). Those who receive the document must check into an ICE facility within 60 days, but that does not formally enroll them in immigration proceedings.

Once at ICE, migrants will have their case reviewed and given a court date to comply with. If they fail to comply, they could face deportation.

"Action will be taken against those that do not appear consistent with the law and Department priorities. By mailing out these charging documents, ICE is initiating removal proceedings in a timely way," the spokesperson said.

As of Sept. 10, according to the AP, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had released 107,817 migrants without formal notices, of which  29,863 have not reported to ICE within the required 60 days.

During July and August of 2021, more than 200,000 migrants crossed the border, making it the highest numbers in 20 years.