Sessions says border crossers will face prosecution

SAN DIEGO (AP) - U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the Department of Homeland Security has agreed to refer anyone who enters the United States illegally on the Mexican border to his office for prosecution.

In remarks prepared for a speech Monday at a law enforcement conference in Arizona, Sessions says the Department of Justice will take up as many cases as possible.

>>VIDEO: Jeff Sessions speaks about illegal immigration

He says cases will include people who allegedly smuggle children across the border or who lie to immigration officers.

Sessions says he has sent 35 prosecutors to the region to work on these cases.

The remarks were published on the department's website as Sessions prepares to hold a news conference in San Diego with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan.