What do you think this legislation is? If I understand correctly, if an illegal immigrant came here before January 2007, you can immediately be given seek legal status without having to fear immediate deportation. Of O am wrong please correct me.
That is correct. And your argument is?
What this legislation is is a legislated plea bargain. The penalty for prior breaking of US law is a $5,000 fine. In terms of the US criminal justice system that is a pretty hefty fine for a first offense. [I am not sure if the offense is a felony or not.]
Now you might respond that the person copping the plea will not have a criminal record. Since the US has tons of diversion programs where first offenders who commit serious misdemeanors end up without a criminal record, I don’t see such a big difference.