[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

First, illegal aliens are not currently criminals. They have committed a misdemeanor civil offense under current law by entering or remaining in the United States once their visas expire, but the House-passed immigration bill would automatically make these offenses criminal felonies.

misdemeanor's aren't crimes?

Main Entry: mis·de·mean·or
Pronunciation: "mis-di-'mE-n&r
Function: noun
: a crime that carries a less severe punishment than a felony; specifically : a crime punishable by a fine and by a term of imprisonment not to be served in a penitentiary and not to exceed one year —compare FELONY

[Bigg Red]

misdemeanor's aren't crimes?

**
Excellent points!

[old republic]

First, illegal aliens are not currently criminals. They have committed a misdemeanor civil offense under current law by entering or remaining in the United States once their visas expire, but the House-passed immigration bill would automatically make these offenses criminal felonies.

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I thought that you might be interested to know that if an illegal alien sneaks into the US again after having been deported, they have committed a felony under current US law.