Reply #71: Whatever

[Marie26]

No, it's not reasonable to infer that, since almost half of undocumented immigrants entered the country legally (via passport, visa, etc.) So millions of "undocumented immigrants" have committed no crime at all, not even a misdemeanor. While some immigrants intend to stay permanently, many do come to work. That's why I supported Bush's guest-worker program.

And I have to wonder about all the whining about how undocumented immigrants are "CRIMINALS!!" or "illegal" when that is not the case. It's an idiotically adversarial attempt to create a derogatory & criminal image that justifies extreme measures. And it yields no positive results. Kind of like conflating human trafficking & slavery (a serious felony) with undocumented presence (no crime at all) for purposes of bolstering your self-righteousness.

My point, which I am making repeatedly, insistently, & annoyingly, is that undocumented presence in the U.S. is not a crime. And more than 40% of undocumented imm. entered totally legally & haven't committed one single crime at all. Not even a misdemeanor. So is it accurate to call them "illegals"? IMO no. And even for those that crossed w/o going through Customs, that is a misdemeanor that's not even enforced. As the U.S. Attorney said, they prosecute employers, traffickers, drug smugglers - not undocumented immigrants. And even that misdemeanor is a one-time offense, committed at the border. Sort of like a driver who makes a left-hand turn & commits a misdemeanor. Should that driver be referred to as an "illegal driver" forever thereafter? How about someone who goes camping w/o a permit at a federal national park (also a civil violation). Are they "illegal campers"? Or worse, simply "illegals?" If not, why not? Why label one group w/that term, and not another? Words MATTER.