Is an illegal immigrant a criminal?

Question

What do you think?

Answer 1

By definition absolutely. They broke a federal law.

Answer 2

Yes if an immigrant crossed the border when it became illegal to do so and was caught and proven guilty he is a criminal. But 20 years ago the same immigrant would not have had this problem of being called a criminal for not waiting for a piece of paper, a document is all it is. A document that you plan and try to get while working, learning the language, and other factors while here.
Is an undocumented immigrant a criminal? no. the ones who commit crimes when here yes but the ones who work hard, learn the language, and eventually get their documents are not criminals. Unfortunately undocumented immigrants from Mexico are being denied and have longer wait times because their Mexican but other ethnicity's are getting their documents. So why would they go back to their country waiting for a document that will never come and at a time when coming back is harder and more dangerous.

Is it illegal to have people living in the U.S. undocumented because they are Mexican? Is it illegal to tear their families apart and cause physical and physiological damage to them because they are Mexican? it it illegal to judge them as guilty until proven Innocent? Is it illegal to threaten them to leave with death threat and deportation? is it illegal to hate them?
is it illegal to treat them less then egual and have many people think they are better than undocumented immigants and have nothing but negitive things to say about them? It is illegal to have the word "mexican" almost sound like a bad word?

hey don't drop the M word unless your mexican.

Answer 3

Guess it depends on how you look at it. By the definition of criminal, yes, anyone who enters the USA without the proper paperwork is a criminal. Although technically, someone who doesn't obey the speed limit is also breaking the law and could also be labeled a criminal.

So, it seems that one would need to decide where on the spectrum of criminality that immigrating illegally falls. Is it as bad as robbing a bank? or perhaps as minor as a traffic violation? Depends on your point of view.

In addition, it seems to me that ALL illegal immigrants should not be labeled criminals. Specifically, the group of immigrant children who were brought here by their parents at an early age and are growing up or have grown up in the US. They didn't knowingly enter the US and, in my mind, cannot be guilty of immigrating illegally.

Answer 4

If you break the law you are a criminal. Period, DOT, End of Story.

Entering the USA without proper documentation is a fourth degree Felony.

Therefore illegal immigrants are criminals.

Answer 5

are you joking?

il·le·gal
–adjective
1. forbidden by law or statute.

If you break a law, any law, you have commited a crime, therefore making you a criminal.

I am an American, busting my a** to get a work permit and visa to work and live in another country. It is extremely difficult, and is taking me a long time and lots of work. Could I go there and just work under the table? Sure. Am I going to? No. Why? Because it is illegal. Why would this, or any other country, want someone living there who starts things off by breaking the law?
There are laws for reasons, and while we may not agree with the law, or the reason, until it changes, it is what it is and we must abide by it. If I don't like how things are ran in the country I have chosen, I won't go. If they don't like it how we run things, don't come here. Simple.
You can't just say, "Oh, it's too difficult, I think I will bypass the rules and just do it my own way." It's awfully arrogant actually.

Answer 6

"Is an illegal immigrant a criminal?"

Your question answered itself. It contained the word "illegal", which means "not legal". And if it is "not legal", it is a crime.

So yes...an illegal immigrant is a criminal.

[To Amanda h]
What about those three illegals who were justed arrested and charged with first degree murder for the execution style killings of three college students and the critical wounding of another?

If they hadn't been in this country, then those four kids would still be alive and going to school in a few weeks. But instead, they're dead and the murderous illegals are still alive.

One of the illegals was even charged with sex offenses and was out on bail...but was his status as an illegal reported to the government?

No.

Answer 7

they circumvents our federal laws for their own benefit, they certainly do this. so yes, they are breaking the law, therefore, they are criminals.

often to come here, they associate with other criminals who provide false ids and other criminal acts so illigals are supporting those crime and they are accessories to those crimes.

Answer 8

the crime that they committed is a paperwork crime. There is a huge difference between being a violent criminal and not sending in the paperwork. I believe the crime is actually a misdemeanor.

I dont think they are any more "criminal" than I am by not registering my car on time.

+Solaran- yes, those men are murderous bung holes. Agreed wholeheartedly, and, definitely, definitely they are criminals of the most disgusting sort. But, her question was merely about the act of crossing the border. If you commit any crime while you are here, you are a criminal. No doubt. And, as a side note, those murderers should be deported, but, first they should be left alone with the family and friends of the victims. Payback is fair, and, if there is nothing left to deport, so be it- an eye for an eye?

Answer 9

What part of Illegal immigrant did you not understand?

EDIT- Paperwork crime?? whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, it is a crime nonetheless...and btw, Elvira was a felonist because she re-entered the country after deportaion...a higher level of crime..

Answer 10

Sigy, can you say "DUH?" If the term "ILLEGAL" is in front of a person's status, no matter WHERE they are from, that means they BROKE THE LAW, and are therefore a CRIMINAL. Sorry to those who don't like it, but sometimes the TRUTH hurts.

Answer 11

Yes, they are criminals if they are not in this country legally.