The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) tracks immigration cases. According to the latest available data from the Justice Department during FY 2013 immigration prosecutions reached an all-time high, with new cases being filed against 97,384 defendants. This number is up 5.9 percent over the past fiscal year, and up 22.6 percent over the past five years, according to the case-by-case information analyzed by TRAC and obtained from the Executive Office for United States Attorneys under the Freedom of Information Act. Prosecutions for illegal entry under 8 USC 1325 increased 12 percent from FY 2012, while those for illegal re-entry under 8 USC 1326 rose only slightly. On the other hand, illegal entry prosecutions are up only 8.4 percent since the last year of the Bush administration, whereas those for illegal re-entry have risen 76.2 percent since Obama took office. You can review more details, including a twenty-year timeline of prosecutions under both these statutes, in the report at: http://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/336/.
If you or a family member are currently in removal proceedings, you will need the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer. Dealing with the U.S. government on your removal case without an immigration attorney is a big mistake. Call or office at 617-357-0400 to discuss your case and schedule a free consultation.