It has always been illegal to encourage or help people to enter the USA illegally. But what about helping people who are already here? Examples are people who put water in the desert, or people who give food to illegal immigrants at charities, neighbors who give food to neighbors, etc. Apparently there was a bill before Congress this year that would make these activities illegal, but I have not located any information about what the current law is.
2006-12-19 15:18:45 · 12 answers · asked by drshorty 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm not talking about helping people to enter the country. I'm talking about providing other kinds of help after they are already here -- giving food to the poor, for example.
2006-12-19 15:32:21 · update #1
Yes, even if it is not enforced, it should be wrong. These people are helping other people break the laws of the United States. It should be the same as helping a criminal.
2006-12-19 15:23:10 · answer #1 · answered by andy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it illegal to hide the bank robber, AFTER he robbed the bank?
Harboring a felon, or a fugitive, is in itself a felony! The irony here is that no person, or businessman can possibly determine if any papers they present are legal or forged! Even government workers have been fooled!
There will be 9,000 deaths this year, inside the USA, caused by illegal immigrants! This is a matter of fact! And, over half of the illegals wouldn't be admitted, for disease, addictions, or felony records!
Even we, who are legal immigrants, or the children of legal immigrants, do not want the crime that accompanies those illegal
invaders.
And, guess where the criminals who are illegal go to 'blend in'?
My barrio! My 'hood!
Those people aren't really as poor as you make them seem to be, as they pay large sums to the coyotes and smugglers to come here, cutting in ahead of my relatives who paid as much as $20,000 for immigration papers, documents, and lawyers!
Those illegals are trying to cut in line because it takes 14 years to get legal papers!!! Let's Control The Borders! Let's get some streamline to the process!
So, there is a huge gap between the poor we try to feed, and the illegal drug runners, gang bangers, and their coyote friends.
But, I want to use the formal charities to present more services, to form a more united 'front' to serve the many needs of the 'poor' and dis-advantaged.
Anytime a single person tries to help the poor, there is usually going to be a story of deceit, theft, abuse.
Formal organizations that do these good works also protect the public from criminal actions, false threats, intimidation, and lawsuits. That is why I support them.
It is in-effective and impossible to take on all the problems of the world, no matter the high enthusiasm and idealism you hold in your heart, that makes you try to extend aid beyond your capabilities. "A man's grasp should not exceed his reach".
2006-12-20 00:04:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You bet your sweet a$$ it is. The government doesn't serve the people of this country known as the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. The government only pays lip service to those whom challenge, 'I agree that the subject of illegal immigration is an important matter.....'. Then turn around and stab us in the back by giving all the illegals benefits and privileges that most of naturalized population don't have nor can afford. I've been against open borders for over thirty years. Lock the borders up tighter then Hogan's goat, ship then back across the border. If our government weren't so concerned about 'what the world thinks' & being 'PC', they would do the job they were elected for and 'damn the torpedos'.
No more warning shoots, shot to kill........PERIOD.
2006-12-19 23:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by LifeRyder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Illegally entering the country is still a felony.
So help at your own risk, because you could be accused of aiding and abetting a known criminal.
If you want water, bring it with you.
If you want food, bring it with you. Or buy it.
There's a difference, however, between charity and assisting a known felon, and ICE isn't going to look at your humanitarian efforts if you made a significant impact.
2006-12-19 23:23:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is illegal to DIRECTLY help them. It is called Aiding and Abetting a Criminal. The current charges and fines are usually light right now. But after the new laws get passed, you will see 10 years of jailtime or more, sentences dolled out PER PERSON you help.
It is better if you do border spotting and sic the police on them as soon as they cross the border.
2006-12-19 23:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The bill you mentioned was struck down. Very influential in this was the LA walkouts and the Archbishop of LA publicly stating that the church had no intention of denying aid to the needy based on their immigration status. Other than this bill (which failed, as i mentioned) , i am not sure.
2006-12-19 23:27:20 · answer #6 · answered by unquenchablefire666 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your first five respondents have stated it pretty clearly. If you assist a felon in a crime, you are "aiding and abetting" a criminal, a felon, and that has been illegal since as long as I can remember, and I'm sure is true today, especially today when we are trying to secure our borders. God Bless you.
2006-12-19 23:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the lawyer why you ask this question at Yahoo People? are you yourself illegal immigrant?
2006-12-25 19:53:55 · answer #8 · answered by mariya_shasha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES it is. IT falls under the description of Aiding a Felon and IS punishable by law.
2006-12-19 23:34:15 · answer #9 · answered by Keith C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because you are aiding someone in an illegal action. They have a similar law for serious crimes called aiding and abetting.
2006-12-19 23:25:08 · answer #10 · answered by ladyfatale01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋