Can anyone elaborate on this?
I'd want to know more about it. If it in anyway takes the "teeth" out of enforcement or makes it little more then a slap on the wrist. I am vehemently against doing this.
"House wants to change 'felony' to a 'misdemeanor'
Can anyone elaborate on this?"
I can only find this right now, but know I have seen/heard other comments on it.
'Strong border security,' no felonies, led to waves of public protests
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau ^ | April 12, 2006 | GEBE MARTINEZ and SAMANTHA LEVINE
Posted on 04/12/2006 7:02:52 AM PDT by Dubya
WASHINGTON - After the widespread marches in support of illegal immigrants, top Republican congressional leaders retreated Tuesday from the portion of a House bill that would make illegal immigration or visa violation a felony.
"It remains our intent to produce a strong border security bill that will not make unlawful presence in the United States a felony," House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said.
Their joint written statement came as GOP leaders seek a balance between easing public criticism of the bill and preserving the law-and-order approach to illegal immigration as demanded by many social conservatives.
A felony charge would subject illegal immigrants — there are about 12 million in the United States — to a year in jail before deportation. It would also apply to students, tourists and others who overstay their visas.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1613702/posts