On Friday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a zero-tolerance policy be enacted toward immigrants unlawfully entering the Southwest border between the U.S. and Mexico.

The Hill reports:

Sessions notified all federal prosecutors along that part of the border of the new policy in a memo Friday and directed them to make prosecuting criminal immigration offenses a priority. He also directed prosecutors to work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop guidelines for prosecuting offenses under immigration law. TRENDING: Unhinged Quebec Woman Pascale Ferrier Identified as Suspect in Case of Ricin Letter Sent to Trump White House The Department of Justice said the new policy is in response to a report from the Department of Homeland Security that showed a 203 percent increase in illegal border crossings from March 2017 to March 2018 and a 37 percent increase from February 2018 to March 2018 — the largest month-to-month increase since 2011.

“To those who wish to challenge the Trump Administration’s commitment to public safety, national security, and the rule of law, I warn you: illegally entering this country will not be rewarded, but will instead be met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice,” Sessions wrote.

“The situation at our Southwest Border is unacceptable,” Sessions said in the statement. “Congress has failed to pass effective legislation that serves the national interest — that closes dangerous loopholes and fully funds a wall along our southern border,” Sessions added.

Axios reporter Jonathan Swan says Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, believes the move is significant.

“. @MarkSKrikorian, an immigration hawk of hawks, tells me Jeff Sessions’ order today to US Attorneys is significant. Changes calculus for illegal immigrants trying to re-enter after being deported & having criminal record. Second time would be a felony,” Swan tweeted.

https://twitter.com/jonathanvswan/status/982347499359932419

Why is it not a felony the 1st time??? — yvonneburton ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@_YvonneBurton) April 6, 2018