Monday, July 12, 2010

Illegal Immigrants Are Deported Because They Are Illegal Immigrants

Language surrounding the question of immigration becomes increasingly odd. Today's Journal Sentinel runs a head stating that "More illegal immigrants being deported for lesser offenses, advocate says."

Well, the advocate did say that (although she did not use the term "illegal" immigrants), but she is objectively wrong. The persons in question are not being deported "for" the offenses that have brought them to the attention of law enforcement. They are being deported because they aren't supposed to be here.

The advocate, Christine Neuman-Ortiz, wants to "investigate." Investigate what?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Picky, picky, Ricky.

Tell us, why aren't they deported for any offenses? Could it be that the level of offense matters in the real world, and that a change in what is typically considered to be an offense leading to exercising deportation based on immigration status is, in fact, noteworthy?

George Mitchell said...

Why are anonymous posts allowed?

yon yonson said...

Picky, picky, Ricky.

Tell us, why aren't they deported when detained or even questioned as a result of any offense? Could it be that the level of offense bringing the person to the attention of authorities matters in the real world, and that a change in what is typically considered to be an offense leading to exercising deportation based on immigration status is, in fact, noteworthy?

Better, George? I also took the opportunity to provide a little more substance for you to ignore.

PurpleAvenger said...

Well, Rick, if you're going to be that precise:

Immigrants are removed (deported is also no longer the legal term that is used) because they lack allowable status in the US. But NOT necessarily because they are "illegal."

In fact, you can be removed without ever having broken a single law. Being physically present in the U.S. without immigration documents is not a criminal offense (except in a few very limited circumstances - but not for most immigrants). How one came to be in the U.S. without documents may - or may not - also have occurred without any criminal offense ever having been committed. For example, if one comes on a valid visa and overstays - as a very substantial portion of undocumented immigrants have - there has never been a law broken.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you read up some on immigration law? Illegal entry to this country does not always mandate deportation. An illegal immigrant who has been here for at least ten years, as this guy has, who is of good moral character, and whose forced departure would work an extreme hardship on an immediate family member who is a citizen, is eligible for cancellation of removal and adjustment of status, unless he has committed one of a specified list of crimes. In other words, if you land on our shores, even if illegally, keep your nose clean for ten years, and are a productive member of society, we're not going to kick you out, if doing so would work a severe hardship on your parent or child who is a citizen. I know, sounds like amnesty, and you don't like that. It is the law, though. The law is just, but it is also magnanimous.

Dad29 said...

if one comes on a valid visa and overstays - as a very substantial portion of undocumented immigrants have - there has never been a law broken.

Well, then, your use of the term "overstays" is inaccurate.

If there's no violation, then there's no "overstaying."

But should your representation of current law be accurate, then the Common Man has another good reason to say that The Law Is An Ass.

As are most lawmakers.

PurpleAvenger said...

The widespread use of the term "illegal" - as well as the calls for police involvement in this issue - are used to connote that a crime has occurred. That is simply not true in many cases. As I said, being in the U.S. without documents is not a crime. And removal is a civil, not a criminal, proceeding.

There is also no status in law of "illegal immigrant." As one other commentor noted, there are lots of ways persons who may have entered or remained without proper documentation can obtain legal status. It's an extremely complex area of law. That may not make those who like to rely on sound bites - like "deport them all" - happy, but it is the state of the law.

jp said...

UNDOCUMENTED IN WONDERLAND

Illegal is illegal cry the Lawmakers
Fraud is fraud cry the Frauds
Law is law nod the Lawyers

It’s relative cry the Relatives
Guilty is guilty gavel the Judges
Justice is just vote the Justices
Right is righteous saith the Preachers

Enforce grunt the Enforcers
Repatriate huff the Patriots

Criminalize the assisters freak the Fascists
Off with their heads parrots The Mad Hatter


April 1, 2006


NOTE THE DATE

AnotherTosaVoter said...

What's funny, and tragic, about the immigration debate is that the GOP can never do anything about it, since they're more beholden to business interests who like cheap labor than to anyone else.

Aaron Rodriguez said...

Interesting discussion