President Trump signed a memorandum on Friday seeking to take steps toward ending the “catch and release” immigration policy, a term that generally refers to the release of illegal immigrants as they wait for an immigration hearing.

“Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum to take important steps to end ‘catch and release,’ the dangerous practice whereby aliens who have violated our Nation’s immigration laws are released into the United States shortly after their apprehension,” the Office of White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “The safety and security of the American people is the President’s highest priority, and he will keep his promise to protect our country and to ensure that our laws are respected.”