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"you don't apply the law" is a really dishonest way of phrasing this, when "hit them with a small financial penalty for the civil immigration violation and fast
by AIPedant 1y ago
"you don't apply the law" is a really dishonest way of phrasing this, when "hit them with a small financial penalty for the civil immigration violation and fast-track their green cards" is also an option.
Illegally immigrating to the US is a civil violation, not a criminal one, and far less of a threat to US safety than going 5mph over the speed limit or running red lights. It is entirely lawful for the executive and judicial branches to use discretion and compassion in cases when under-18 US citizens are involved.
- andsoitis 1y ago> Illegally immigrating to the US is a civil violation, not a criminal one It can be both, depending on the situation: • First-time illegal entry into the U.S. (like crossing the border without inspection) is a criminal misdemeanor under federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1325). • Unlawful presence (like overstaying a visa) is usually a civil violation, not criminal. It can lead to deportation but not criminal charges.
- AIPedant 1y agoI understand this is splitting hairs, but that law applies equally to US citizens. And formally people aren't deported for crossing into the US illegally, they are deported for being there without a valid visa/etc. (Informally there is more leeway for overstaying a work visa, of course.)