The Department of Homeland Security issued tough new orders Tuesday to begin a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigrants, putting nearly all of the country's 11 million undocumented foreigners in their cross-hairs.

Two memos issued by DHS Secretary John Kelly order border patrol and immigration officers to deport as quickly as possible any illegal immigrants they find, with only a few exceptions, principally children.

The priority for deportation will remain undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes, but will also include anyone who has been charged or potentially faces criminal charges.

However, categories of illegal immigrants deemed as low priority by the previous Barack Obama administration - generally anyone not tied to a crime - are no longer protected. "With extremely limited exceptions, DHS will not exempt classes or categories of removal aliens from potential enforcement," the department said.

"All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to enforcement proceedings, up to and including removal from the United States." Kelly ordered immediate action to begin planning and building a wall along the US southern border with Mexico. He also ordered the hiring of another 5,000 officers for the Customs and Border Protection agency and 10,000 for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Soon after being inaugurated president on January 20, Trump ordered action to begin construction of a wall along the nearly 2,000-mile-long (3,145 kilometer) US-Mexico border, a tightening of border security, and tougher enforcement against illegal immigrants inside the country.

The memos come ahead of meetings this week between Kelly and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico. Besides Pena Nieto, the two American officials will meet with Mexico's ministers of the interior, foreign affairs, finance, Defense and the navy, the State Department said.

Key topics include border security, law enforcement operation and trade, according to a State Department statement. The new rules make it easier for ICE and CBP officials to automatically expel undocumented immigrants. Kelly said the mass detentions of the past, requiring judicial review, have overburdened the government.

-AFP