by Poppa Dave

Created on: November 11, 2007   Last Updated: November 12, 2007

Entering and remaining on US soil illegally or overstaying an expired visa are misdemeanor crimes for the first offense. Subsequent offenses or failure to appear to be deported are a felony crime. These are Federal Offenses.
See: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/us am/title9/73mcrm.htm#9-73.200

Aiding and abetting a criminal (legally known as Accessory after the fact) in the act of committing a crime and/or helping them avoid arrest and prosecution is a crime.

Excerpted from http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/18C1.txt
United States Code: TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: PART I CRIMES: CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS:
Section 3. Accessory after the fact
Whoever, knowing that an offense against the United States has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial or punishment, is an accessory after the fact. Except as otherwise expressly provided by any Act of Congress, an accessory after the fact shall be imprisoned not more than one-half the maximum term of imprisonment or (notwithstanding section 3571) fined not more than one-half the maximum fine prescribed for the punishment of the principal, or both; or if the principal is punishable by life imprisonment or death, the accessory shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years.

One doesn't need to go into all of the trouble and expense to US citizens and legal immigrants the 15-20,000,000 illegal immigrants bring to us. It is merely a matter of law, not economics, not politics and not lack of compassion.

Governors, Mayors, Police Chiefs, Bishops or other high ranking clergy, State Attorney Generals, Municipal Attorneys and on and on are perpetrating a federal crime against the public by the act of declaring and/or condoning the safe haven of illegal immigrants within their jurisdiction.

The problem is further compounded because the states and municipalities who declare safe haven are tacitly implying to potential employers that it is okay to violate other federal laws prohibiting hiring of illegal immigrants.

The same holds true for potential landlords who would rent to illegal immigrants and assist in their escaping apprehension, etc. by giving them the appearance of being legally assimilated into society, making it more difficult for law enforcement to determine who is legal and who is not.

The federal government, via ICE and DHS, has policies in place for local and state law enforcements to cooperate in the apprehension and detention of illegal immigrants. The federal government invites and welcomes this cooperation. There is no excuse for ignoring or side stepping the laws on illegal immigration.
http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/news/factsh eets/060816dc287gfactsheet.pdf outlines the authority of ICE and DHS to train and supervise local law enforcement in dealing with criminal illegal aliens.

It is the duty, by law, of the US Attorney General to indict and prosecute those, who by their own public admission, are breaking federal laws. Moreover, they should probably be charged with Official Misconduct.
Excerpted from: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Malfea sance+in+office
official misconduct n. improper and/or illegal acts by a public official which violate his/her duty to follow the law and act on behalf of the public good. Often such conduct is under the guise or "color" of official authority.

Isn't it is time for the US Attorney General to step up and perform his/her sworn duty and bring charges against the policy makers (those charged with the safety and well being of citizens) of states and municipalities that provide safe haven to illegal immigrants and willfully ignore federal law?

Learn more about this author, Poppa Dave.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.