INS moved to the Department of Justice in June 1940 in a reorganization meant to provide more effective control over aliens at a time of increasing international tensions (A Brief History). With authority transferred from one organization to another over the years is there any doubt that laws may have been misunderstood and/or misapplied, creating illegal aliens unintentionally?.
However created, Illegal immigration is a problem to the United States of America. The term "illegal- is the first indication of a problem. Webster's Dictionary defines illegal as, not legal; contrary to law; prohibited; illicit. What makes immigration illegal? Any action contrary to immigration laws is therefore illegal. .
A person (including a group of persons, business, organization or local government) commits a federal felony when he: .
Assists an alien whom he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him to obtain employment, .
Encourages that alien to remain in the U.S., by referring him to an employer, by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or.
Knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Anyone employing or contracting with an illegal alien without verifying work authorization status is guilty of a misdemeanor. Aliens and employers violating immigration laws are subject to arrest, detention, and seizure of their vehicles or property. In addition, individuals or entities that engage in racketeering enterprises that commit (or conspire to commit) immigration-related felonies are subject to private civil suits for treble damages and injunctive relief (The Law against Hiring). This summary is only a small indication of the laws required to prevent illegal immigration.
