In an order filed Friday, a federal judge in Austin questioned U.S. prosecutors for seeking criminal convictions in court against some illegal immigrants, writing that the practice "presents a cost to the American taxpayer ... that is neither meritorious nor reasonable."

The order by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks comes as his docket, like others in Texas, is swollen with defendants charged with immigration crimes.

Details.

[Reasonable people may have different opinions about the merits of prosecuting these cases, but is there any real disagreement that the judge violates his duty to remain impartial, and respect the separation of powers, by expressing publicly his personal feelings about the decision to prosecute? Who holds federal judges accountable? And by what authority may a judge require a prosecutor to explain the decision to prosecute?]