During a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “The Katie Phang Show,” Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) asserted that illegally entering the United States is not a criminal offense, but rather a civil violation. She stated, “It is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally… It’s not a crime.”
Crockett’s remarks have drawn criticism from legal experts and former immigration officials. Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), responded, “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.”
Under federal law, specifically 8 U.S.C. § 1325, unauthorized entry into the United States is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and up to six months in jail for first-time offenders. Repeat offenses can lead to felony charges and longer prison sentences.
Crockett further argued that local law enforcement should focus on serious crimes rather than immigration violations, stating, “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.”
Critics contend that such statements undermine the rule of law and the efforts of federal agencies tasked with enforcing immigration statutes. They argue that dismissing illegal entry as a mere civil matter ignores the legal framework established by Congress and the judiciary.
