Immigrant Wins in Drug Deportation Case

AP & Newsday ^ | 12/5/06 | PETE YOST

[kiriath_jearim]

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it easier for some immigrants convicted of drug possession under state law to remain in the United States rather than being subject to deportation.

In an 8-1 decision, the justices ruled in favor of an immigrant who pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting possession of drugs in South Dakota for telling someone where to obtain cocaine.

[snowrip]

Immigrats or illegal aliens?

It's the AP, so...?

[TexasAg1996]

Probably not illegal, just legal immigrant. Legal immigrants can be deported for certain crimes. In theory, illegal immigrants can be deported at any time. There is no need to convict an illegal immigrant of a drug or other crime before deportation. There is a requirement to convict a legal immigrant of some crime to justify deportation.

[monday]

"In an 8-1 decision, the justices ruled in favor of an immigrant who pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting possession of drugs in South Dakota for telling someone where to obtain cocaine."

I have never heard of anyone being charged with that. So if you inadvertently find out drugs are sold at a certain location, say from a news show, and you tell someone else about it, you could go to prison?

[Frank_2001]

It does sound strange-this case was not argued as a free-expression issue, but it could probably have been done that way also....