Immigration and the law

In a letter published recently in the Daily Herald a writer from Naperville claims that illegal immigration is a felony and should be treated as such. A quick search online reveals:

Illegal immigration can involve both misdemeanor and felony charges, depending on the specific circumstances. First-time illegal entry into the U.S. is typically a misdemeanor, while illegal re-entry after deportation is a felony.

Here’s a breakdown:

Illegal Entry: First-time entry into the U.S. without permission is generally a misdemeanor, potentially leading to fines and a jail sentence of up to six months.

Illegal Re-entry: Re-entering the U.S. illegally after being deported is a felony offense. This can result in imprisonment of up to two years.

Aggravated Felonies: Certain prior criminal convictions, such as aggravated felonies, can lead to significantly longer prison sentences for illegal re-entry, potentially up to 20 years.

It’s important to note that immigration law violations are also considered civil offenses, meaning they can lead to deportation proceedings in addition to any criminal penalties.

Therefore the vast majority of illegal immigration cases are misdemeanors and not felonies.

Ron Scherer

Antioch