U.S. Judge to Future Deportees: Don't Come.

June 25th, 2018 10:54 PM

Although Univision's Spanish-language newscasts are mostly known for their strong open-border bias, they are also uniquely positioned to deliver a unique perspective on what is otherwise a complicated issue, in a way that their counterparts in other national media cannot match.

Univision's Luis Megid sat down with U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernardo Velasco, from the District of Arizona. As part of his duties, Judge Velasco presides over plea hearings for those who have entered the country illegally.

Judge Velasco shared his insights on the challenges faced by the government were it to criminally prosecute every single illegal border crossing. Despite the fact that Megid's piece was intended to call into question whether the government is able to prosecute every case and seemingly signal that potential border crossers need not fear prosecution, Judge Velasco did manage to offer one piece of valuable advice before reminding Univision's viewers that "the law is tough but it is the law."

LUIS MEGID, UNIVISION REPORTER: Judge Velasco’s job is complicated. Familial separation saddens him, but he doesn’t make those decisions. What can he say to immigrants?

U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE FERNANDO VELASCO: There’s really nothing we can do.

LUIS MEGID: Basically, you can’t give them any advice.

JUDGE VELASCO: No. Don’t come.