Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued a statement after the Obama Administration announced new immigration enforcement measures. The new policy will prioritize cases involving violent criminals while deferring action in cases involving children with good records.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the changes in response to a letter Senator Feinstein and her colleagues sent to the President in April.

“The Obama Administration made a wise decision today to focus immigration enforcement resources on felons, gang members and individuals who pose national security threats,” said Senator Feinstein.

“I am pleased the new policy will benefit college students and veterans. Young people who arrived here at an early age and either serve in the military or are in good academic standing should not be removed from the country and separated from their families. Instead, they should be allowed to reach their full potential as productive American citizens.

“While we have more work to do on immigration reform, this is a positive step in the right direction.”

###