US to review deportations, focus on criminals

The case review would only affect those undocumented immigrants already in line for deportation proceedings, and not the vast majority of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

The move comes amid criticism from rights activists of President Barack Obama's administration for deporting a record number of illegal immigrants and failing to get Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"The idea is set those cases aside... see where we can identify very low priorities, and essentially, administratively, close the case so they no longer clog the system," a senior administration official told reporters.

The official however noted that the government could reopen a case at any given time.

"At the same time, we're going to provide additional guidance to our people on the field when they encounter someone in the country unlawfully," the official added on condition of anonymity.