The Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday that it plans to give border patrol agents the authority to deport undocumented immigrants without giving them a chance to go before an immigration judge. The new rules do not affect Mexicans or Canadians. The sweeping new power will take effect later this month. Backers of the policy say it is needed to deter undocumented workers and to net people trying to avoid tighter security measures at airports.

Border Patrol agents are currently required to bring undocumented immigrants to detention centers in order to be processed through the courts. The new rule covers non-citizens caught within 100 miles of the Mexican and Canadian borders who have spent under two weeks in the country. During fiscal year 2003, about 43,000 immigrants were deported from airports and seaports without going before a judge—the new rule could double that figure.

Another provision of the new rule will allow Mexicans to visit the U.S. for thirty days, increased from the current three-day pass. Canadians are already allowed to visit the United States for six months.