In response to the story written by Sarah Stultz that appeared in the Tribune on Sept. 14, I don’t think I know anyone who has brought racism into any discussion on illegal immigration. The one thing people seem to forget, legal is legal, illegal is illegal. Those people who are here illegally and those people helping them are breaking U.S. law. Part of the law is as follows:

Federal Immigration and Nationality Act

Section 8 USC 324 (a) (1) (A) (iv) (b) (iii)

“Any person who … encourages or induces an alien to … reside … knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such … residence is … in violation of law, shall be punished as provided … for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs … fined under title 18 … imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”

Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A (a)(l) (A):

“A person (including a group of person, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:

 Assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or

 Encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or

 Knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.

“Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Anyone employing or contracting with an illegal alien without verifying his or her work authorization status is guilty of a misdemeanor. Aliens and employers violating immigration laws are subject to arrest, detention, and seizure of their vehicles or property. In addition, individuals or entities who engage in racketeering enterprises that commit (or conspire to commit) immigration-related felonies are subject to private civil suits from treble damages and injunctive relief.”

Mike Gordon

Albert Lea