Pentagon sending military lawyers to border to help prosecute immigration cases
The lawyers will be appointed as full-time special assistant U.S. attorneys for as long as six months.
by Alex Johnson and Courtney Kube / Jun.20.2018 / 10:10 PM ET / Updated Jun.21.2018 / 6:49 AM ET
Twenty-one military lawyers are being sent to Arizona, Texas and New Mexico to help prosecute illegal immigration cases, the Defense Department told MSNBC on Wednesday night.
The lawyers, who are to have "criminal trial experience," will be appointed as full-time special assistant U.S. attorneys for up to 179 days, or around six months, the Defense Department said in confirming the plan, which was first reported by MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show."
The plan is outlined in internal Defense Department emails obtained by MSNBC. According to the emails — which appear to be dated last month and one of which is labeled "An urgent request" — the Justice Department sought applicants for the positions "while we staff up" with permanent assistant U.S. attorneys.
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https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/immigration-border-crisis/pentagon-sending-military-lawyers-border-help-prosecute-immigration-cases-n885216?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
