The murderer of Kate Steinle was found not guilty and will be going free. Although I respect our judicial system, I believe the verdict was unjust and a travesty. However, there is a change which should be implemented to make it harder for illegals to remain in the country.
Illegally entering the United States should be a felony. Under current Federal law, illegally entering the united States, or remaining in the country under false pretenses, is only a misdemeanor. While multiple violations ratchets this up to a felony, as the Steinle family can attest, it only takes one instance for tragedy to strike.
Here’s proposed statutory language for any potential congressional member who wishes to give more than lip service to the memory of Kate Steinle, and instead make a difference. I even kept “dreamers” in mind. See how nice I am?
The law should be changed such that a person commits a felony if either
- They illegally enter the United States at the time they are at least 18 years of age, or
- remain in the country after 180 days past the expiration of their visa.
This seemingly minor alteration to US law would have a substantial impact on the condition of illegals remaining in the United States. First, convicted felons are prohibited from engaging in numerous important aspects of our society. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning a gun, voting, serving on juries, being employed in positions of trust such as being a doctor, lawyer, accountant, government worker, child caregiver, and more.
Unbelievably, Democrats in the California state legislature have attempted to pass measures to allow illegals on juries. California is not alone. Undocumented immigrants are receiving jury notices in Nevada. Making entering the country a felony prohibits any illegal immigrant who has been found to be here unlawfully from ever serving on a jury because they will be categorized as a felon. To make such individuals eligible for jury duty, states would have to allow all felons the ability to serve.
Treating the illegal entrance into our country as a felony would also reduce the number of high skilled jobs for which legal citizens find themselves in competition with those unlawfully in the country. The sudden reduction of available employee candidates would reduce the decline of wages in these positions of trust.
Before anyone comments that it is already impossible for illegals to work as a lawyer or doctor, check again. Illegal immigrants are in medical school and many have already been admitted to the field of medicine. California is one of several states that allow illegals to practice law.
Like most proposals, this is not a magic bullet. It will not stop all crime committed by illegal immigrants. And, I am well aware that not all those unlawfully in the country spend their time committing crime. But all illegals who came here as adults have committed at least one crime. That crime should be treated with the same seriousness within the language of the law as it is in the text of campaign slogans. The memory of Kate demands nothing less.