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The Department of Justice filed complaints on Monday against 11 members of the "caravan" from Central America, charging them with illegally entering the U.S., CNN first reported and Axios confirmed with a federal law enforcement official.

Why it matters: This is the first major action on Attorney General Jeff Sessions' "zero tolerance" policy he announced last month. "Illegally entering this country will not be rewarded, but will instead be met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice," Sessions said in a statement at the time.  

DOJ charges 11 immigrants from "caravan" with illegally entering U.S.

The DOJ's zero tolerance policy in action.

Three immigrants from Central America sit on top of the border wall with a flag flying in the foreground. 

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / The Washington Post via Getty Images

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The Department of Justice filed complaints on Monday against 11 members of the &quot;caravan&quot; from Central America, charging them with illegally entering the U.S., CNN first reported and Axios confirmed with a federal law enforcement official.Why it matters: This is the first major action on Attorney General Jeff Sessions&#x27; &quot;zero tolerance&quot; policy he announced last month. &quot;Illegally entering this country will not be rewarded, but will instead be met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice,&quot; Sessions said in a statement at the time.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

DOJ charges 11 immigrants from "caravan" with illegally entering U.S.

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