Merrick Garland says he hasn't 'thought about' whether illegal border entry should remain a crime

Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland sidestepped a series of questions at his confirmation hearing Monday regarding his view on how the Justice Department would enforce the law on border crossings if he is confirmed as its top official.

"I haven’t thought about that question. I just haven’t thought about that question," Garland said in response. "I think the president has made clear that we are a country with borders and with a concern about national security. I don’t know if a proposal to decriminalize but still make it unlawful to re-enter. I just don’t know the answer to that question. I haven’t thought about it." Upon entering office, President Biden signed a series of executive orders meant to reverse immigration policies enacted under former President Donald Trump, including an action that revoked funding for the border wall. And last week, Congressional Democrats introduced a Biden-backed immigration bill that includes an eight-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, among other measures. Hawley pressed Garland following his admission, asking the nominee if would "continue to prosecute unlawful border crossings" if confirmed as attorney general.