Report: Trump signs memorandum ordering the end of ‘catch and release’ policy

President Trump on Friday signed a memorandum ordering the end of “catch and release” immigration policy.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement that Trump signed the memo “to take important steps to end ‘catch and release,’ the dangerous practice whereby aliens who have violated our Nation’s immigration laws are released into the United States shortly after their apprehension.”

“The safety and security of the American people is the President’s highest priority, and he will keep his promise to protect our country and to ensure that our laws are respected,” Sanders added.

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According to the New York Times, “The directive does not, on its own, toughen immigration policy or take concrete steps to do so; it merely directs officials to report to the president about steps they are taking to ‘expeditiously end ’catch and release’ practices.’”

Trump has repeatedly criticized the policy in his public remarks.

“The laws of this country have to be strengthened and toughened up, because it is crazy. How about that? Catch — that means you catch them. Now you release them. That’s what it’s called — catch-and-release. Just think of that,” Trump said on Thursday.