Is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A "Gateway" Offense??

Question

In The War On Drugs, We've Heard The Expression
"Gateway Drug"
Loosely Translated :
Smoking Marijuana Will Lead To Harder Drug Abuse

In The ILLEGAL Immigration Debate
We Hear That It Is Merely A "Civil Offense"
If An Individual ILLEGALLY Crosses The Border

But That Inevitably Leads To More, Serious Offenses
ie: Forged Fraudulent Documents (Felony) For Instance

My Question:

Is ILLEGAL ENTRY To Our Nation
A "Gateway Offense" ??

Good Answer DAR
We're On The Same Page
As Usual

I Agree coragryph
the entire "gateway drug" concept is a hype

Answer 1

YES!

True summary of illegal activity from long term illegal immigrants
Here is a true summary of illegal activity from long term illegals, and as you can see it's not just about sneaking across the border, and it's not just careless breaking of the law.
1. Illegal entry into the United States - Misdemeanor - deportable offense.
2. Failure to register as a foreign national - misdemeanor - deportable offense.
3. Fraudulently applying for a state driver's license with counterfeit ID - misdemeanor
4. Applying for work or working in the United States without a work visa - Misdemeanor - Deportable Offense.
5. Fraudulently operating an unregistered business under a false name - misdemeanor - Deportable Offense
6. Fraudulently applying for and accepting welfare using counterfeit ID - Felony - Jail Time- Deportation
7. Fraudulently applying for and accepting food stamps using counterfeit ID - Felony - Jail Time - Deportation
8. Fraudulently applying for and accepting mother's assistance using counterfeit ID - Felony - Jail Time - Deportation.
9. Fraudulently applying for work using counterfeit or stolen Social Security Number - Felony (Perjury)- Deportation
10. Fraudulently claiming excessive deductions for Federal Income Taxes to avoid paying any taxes - Felony - Jail Time - Deportation
11. Registering to vote in states with Motor Voter programs and voting without being a US Citizen - Felony (Perjury)- Deportation
12. Buying counterfeit auto license tabs instead of paying the sate - Misdemeanor
13. Buying phony auto insurance from Mexican operatives so automobile with counterfeit tabs can be registered - Misdemeanor
14. Claiming poverty in a household with high income (for you less than informed - illegal households can easily make as much $100,000 a year tax free) so children can apply for free lunches at school - misdemeanor
15. Claiming poverty to get free medical care from free clinics - Felony - Fraud (hundreds in LA alone) and using first class hospital emergency rooms as family doctors for non-emergency medical - ALL ILLEGALS HAVE 100% MEDICAL COVERAGE AT NO COST TO THEM - PERIOD - Misdemeanor - Deportation.
16. Traffic citations and accidents - Illegals have no real name or address - if they are get a citation or are involved in an accident - they just disappear and surface again with a new counterfeit license and address- and good luck with your insurance company - misdemeanor - Deportation
Etc, Etc, Etc,

Answer 2

I think you've got a point, if your first act upon entering the United States is '**** you' to the immigration laws, what will you do for the rest of the time you're in our country? Hmmm...

Maybe we'll have the Mass Deportations of 2007...or the Great Mexican Callback. I just read a news story talking about this guy that's actively aiding illegal immigrants trekking north through the desert. Time to start taking people to court? It's just not right.

Answer 3

For one thing, it is NOT a civil offense, it is a misdemeanor punishable by jail time. It is just that our government rarely enforces that provision and typically brings charges as a civil offense. In areas where right now they have a 'zero tolerance zone' and mandatory jail time for all adult illegal immigrants, it is having tremendous impact.

And yes, once here and illegal, forged stolen identities follow, etc. In addition, I read today (or maybe it was in those video clips I posted) that a percentage of illegals who come 'pay the coyote' by bringing drugs. Having found how easy that was, and being early introduced to the drug runners here, many continue in that line once here.

So I'd have to say 'yes'.

Answer 4

DAR is right. They come across the border illegally, illegally use illegally acquired identities, drive cars illegally without insurance (sometimes no DL), many commit other illegal acts, (theft, assault, molestation, rape,etc.) and on and on.....so YES entering the USA Illegally is a "Gateway" Offense.

Mimilundgren- the "American Dream" is slowly turning into a terrible nightmare.

Answer 5

They need to change their ways. And be a little more less dependent--that would be a good thing. We are not helping them achieve that by helping them so much. Like the drug you mentioned -we are adding to their addiction and dependency. It is a pity.

Answer 6

Not inherently. But often in practice, yes.

Ignoring for a moment the entire "gateway drug" concept is as hype hype as reality, the concept of a gateway offense is that it puts you in a position to either encourage or require further criminal conduct.

The fact is once they are here, undocumented or illegal aliens must bypass current legal requirements to continue remaining. Some find a way to do this without breaking any more laws.

But the more law enforcement cracks down on the problem, the more undocumented or illegal aliens are forced to break more laws just to keep working and living. So, in effect, the efforts of law enforcement under the current model are at least partially responsible for the later offenses.

I'm not saying illegal immigration is valid or excusable. But the initial violation is more like driving without insurance (a civil offense) than stealing a car (a criminal offense). And that fact also needs to be kept in mind as solutions are being developed.

Answer 7

I agree with Dar. I would like to add that I do see it as a gateway to more serious crime and fraud. That is my limited two cents. Great question.

Answer 8

Bro, they're gonna take over !! just face it !! its a numbers thing !! every illegal woman has minimun 4 kids and all of them are considered americans, where do you think that will lead like in 2050 ??

Answer 9

It is, they know it, they do it anyway...

Whatever means they use is justified in accomplishing their goal. That goal is to invade the United States... to stay in America and make it an extension of Mexico.

But....only after they have raped our land, drained our resources and destroyed the "American Dream"...which will be no more.

Answer 10

Simply put YES!