Not Against The Law—Or Is It?
It’s one thing to go to the mat, arguing your point, doubling down because of your confidence in your position.
It’s quite another when it’s a member of Congress, and the foundation upon which the point is made is simply wrong.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas is the Democrats’ hot property right now, showing up on all manner of cable channels and not being afraid to speak her mind, often with profane language.
On MSNBC this past weekend, the Congresswoman criticized those who are against people coming into this country without benefit of proper paperwork. She called out those folks for calling them “illegals” because she said it’s not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally. She said those on the political right are frustrated because crossing the border is only a civil violation, and they want to see people rounded up.
There is indeed a difference between civil violations and criminal violations. Unfortunately for the Congresswoman, she failed to note that there is indeed a law passed by Congress making entering the country without benefit of proper paperwork a criminal offense…not civil.
United States Code chapter 8, section 1325, says improper entry into the United States is a federal misdemeanor crime, punishable by fines and up to six months in jail for first-time offenders, with repeat offenders facing more fines and up to two years in prison.
Perhaps she was confused, since overstaying a work visa, for example, is not a criminal offense. But that’s far different from illegal entry…which is a crime, which makes violators of the law criminals.
Texas, the state she represents in Congress, is on the front line of the border issue. You’d like to think members of Congress from that state in particular would have an accurate handle on things like “the law”.
Maybe she should stick to dancing in TikTok videos…something else she drew attention for this past week. On second thought…perhaps outright silence would be best.
