Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) Director and current Border Czar Tom Homan fired back at Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett after her recent claim that illegally entering the U. S. is” not a crime”. The declaration, which contradicts national law, was made during her appearance on MSNBC’s” The Katie Phang Show”.
During the present, Rep. Crockett discussed her stance on immigration laws and policies, referencing a current House committee hearing on sanctuary cities. She argued that entering the U. S. without lawful license constitutes a” legal claim” rather than a legal violation.
” It is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally … It’s not a crime”, Crockett stated. ” Which is why they ‘re] Republicans ] so frustrated, because they really want our local law enforcement to go out and round up people when they could be looking out for the murderers and the sexual abusers, as well as the robbers. They want them to come and large people off on legal accusations”.
Homan corrected Crockett’s statement, emphasizing the legitimate real of unlawful passage:
” It’s a crime to enter the country illegally under Title 8, United States Code 1325, and it’s really pathetic that any member of Congress doesn’t understand what the law says”, Homan stated on FOX Business. ” They broke the law … It is a criminal infraction to enter the country illegally. If you’ve entered before, it’s a criminal. I’ve been saying this for I don’t know how long … it’s a violence to provide this land, and we’re going to maintain those rules”.
FOX Business explains under U. S. law, especially Title 8 U. S. Code 1325, first-time unlawful entry is classified as a federal offense, punishable by fines and up to six months in prison. Follow criminals face rougher penalties, including fines and up to two years in prison. Additionally, people who reenter after being deported following previous criminal or criminal acts may face yet harsher legal implications.
While illegal access is truly a criminal offence, overstaying a visa—another common emigration violation—is classified separately. Overstaying an official “period of be” under a card is not a criminal offence but rather a legal infraction.
