Mention undocumented immigrants, illegals if you will, and many people want no quarter or as they say in Spanish, no dar cuartel.” Nothing matters, they are illegal, they broke the law- no health care, no housing, no food, no education at taxpayer expense and no path to obtaining legal status.
I find that an interesting point of view.
As a point of fact, In the United States, the act of being present without authorization (often referred to as “undocumented” or “illegal presence”) is generally a civil offense under federal immigration law, not a criminal one. The primary penalty for this civil violation is deportation or removal from the U.S. That applies to many undocumented who overstayed their visas.
However, there are important distinctions and situations where immigration-related actions can be considered criminal offenses:
Illegal Entry: Entering or attempting to enter the U.S. without inspection by an immigration officer (e.g., crossing the border between designated ports of entry) is a federal misdemeanor for a first offense. Subsequent illegal entries can be felonies.
So in most cases illegal immigrants have not committed a felony
On the other hand, Donald Trump was convicted in New York on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May 2024. He was sentenced in January 2025 to an “unconditional discharge,” meaning he is a convicted felon but faces no further penalties, fines, or jail time. So, a felon, but no consequences. Don’t tell me that was bogus, never should have been charged and all that crap. Evidence was presented to a jury of his peers and they, not a judge or politician, convicted him. All is forgiven and he was elected president.
For those worried about taxpayer dollars going to illegal immigrants, keep in mind as of June 26, 2025, there are 155,872 total federal inmates in the United States whom you pay to house, clothe and feed every day. Criminals far worse than those committing a misdemeanor.
Forgiving a crime is common in our legal system. Suspended sentences, commuting a sentence, parole are ongoing. Presidents do it all the time.
Ford pardon a former president. Biden pardoned many who were convicted of marijuana offenses.
In his first term (2017-2021), Trump granted clemency to 237 individuals, including 143 pardons and 94 commutations.
In his second term (January 2025-present), he has significantly increased the number of clemency grants. As of early 2025, he had already pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,600 people. A notable action at the beginning of his second term was a “full, complete and unconditional” pardon for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
These individuals were intent on doing far more harm to our Republic than any poor, Spanish speaking brown person entering our Country illegally.
Many of Trumps pardons were not humanitarian in nature. Many commutations have been for individuals with political ties, campaign donors, or those he perceived as victims of an unfair justice system – his supporters.
So, where is the logic for not finding a way to weed out the bad apples and jail or deport them and then find a way to legal status for the other undocumented residents? A process that would be in the best economic interests of our country – filling necessary jobs, paying taxes, increasing our younger population.
Yeah, I know, nothing matters because they are here illegally even if they have been upstanding residents for many years.
How is legal status for responsible immigrants not in our best interests? 😢😡
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Someone just “liked” a comment I posted long ago in the Wall Street Journal, to an article titled:
Capitalism Won the Vietnam War, by Andy Kessler.
“… The other Vietnamese success story is here in the US. But, my how times have changed. Today, you can’t find a Democrat who doesn’t favor legal and not so legal immigration, favoring those who claim refugee status, and even the got-aways.
But, in 1975, there was California’s Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, who was the nation’s most outspoken and active foe of immigration by political refugees from Vietnam. The Governor even attempted to prevent military planes carrying refugees from landing at Travis Air Force base.
Or, perhaps you might remember President Carter and the Mariel Boat Lift and blockade?
Or, maybe FDR turning away the St. Louis?
We are lucky that ~125,000 Vietnamese refugees somehow made it to America. Compared to other immigrant populations, a higher percentage are naturalized U.S. citizens. Many are productive Americans, pursuing their personal dreams. For example, Vietnamese immigrants have a higher median household income compared to all immigrants and native born Americans.
Welcome, glad you want(ed) to be(come) Americans…”
And, of course, the Democrats have long ignored the outcomes of their past resistance to true political refugees – so many Vietnamese who did not escape died after the North Vietnamese takeover/application of communist rules, or the jews on the St. Louis who did not escape the Nazi death camps.
And, before you suggest that today’s Americans who want to enforce laws are racists, no one should forget the FDR Administration’s treatment as embodied in the Supreme Court decision of Korematsu – and how treatment of Americans of Japanese descent dramatically varied when compared to Americans of German descent during WWII.
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Tough day for Quinn as he resorts to the usual lefty slogan when frustrated by calling folks racists. The “go to” when you don’t have much.
Sorry but convicted by a 12 member jury of New York City residents when your name is Trump means nothing. Who were the victims? Did the banks sue? Did the banks evaluate each property and loan asked for?
Ever hear of Emmett Till? In 1955 Did he get a fair trial by 12 jurors in Mississippi? Did the 2 white men accused of killing him found not guilty get a fair trial? How many black Americans in the south from 1940 to 1960 got fair trials?
Think Trump would have been found guilty in Florida?
Many trials are not fair.
Let’s not forget Tish James who ran for Attorney General of NY voting to get Trump for anything. She was going to find something, anything. Called him “con man” and “carnival barker”. Now there is a fair and unbiased attorney general.
Sure, it would make sense to have a policy to fine, withhold citizenship for maybe 7 years, and maybe some community service for those who broke the law. Seems strange to say if you break the law we will find some way to keep you.
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Ah, a most rationalized view, not unexpected
Yes, indeed, who are the victims? In this case it is us.
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really!!! we are all victims of what–a broken immigration system? if that is the case that’s got nothing to do with millions coming illegally–you and others invited them–refused to turn them back when not entering a chosen ports and now defend them…
as I told you once before every time you get angry with Trump just look in the mirror as you and others created the problems–sort of like NYC as the loons on the left just voted for a socialist/communist as they feel so much discontent–well, who has run the city since Bloomberg? The loons on the left!! Now they want someone with crazier ideas.
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I have to agree with BenefitJack on this one. Let them leave and come back through the front door with status if permitted. Citizenship and resident status is too important to be cast aside as you advocate Quinn. As for the 11 million figure you speak of, it could be multiples of that for all we know.
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And if it is, although unlikely, how has the Country been harmed by it?
If we had a working process for immigration en mass as we did in the late 19th century, we wouldn’t have to deal with this in the first place.
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As you say: “The primary penalty for this civil violation is deportation or removal from the U.S.”
let’s do that – each and every one. Then we can talk about legalization.
announce need to leave voluntarily, and if not comply, remove all as a criminal violation – failure to comply with a judge’s order. The criminal charge may be set aside at a hearing as part of expulsion.
all who go to court must pay court costs and any fines, subject to forfeiture.
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Of the 10 million (or so) illegals encountered by CBP, and the estimated 1.7 million “got-aways” who stormed across our borders during the last administration, how many of these would you consider “responsible” or only guilty of “federal misdemeanors?” Many of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents came to this country “the right way,” which often involved long wait times and complex procedures. But for many years, that system worked. We are a country of immigrants, and a country of Laws. And the overwhelming majority of them (prior to the last disastrous Biden administration) came here the right way. I also find it interesting that according to the AP (not exactly a right leaning news org) 42% of Latinos voted for President Trump in the last election. Our immigration system has problems, granted. However, you cannot just allow millions to just come on in and give them an automatic path to a legal status.
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Sounds like the same old argument to me. Most of the 11 million or so have been residents for many years, even decades, they are 5% of our workforce and have done no harm.
A reasonable path to legal residence with proper vetting and criteria seems logical and what we need as a country.
Trump is simply a racist and has demonized, scapegoated and lied about immigrants, implying illegal only which is a cover. Even the claim of an open border was a lie.
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all of those who “did no harm” should have to get in line – like everyone else. This isn’t basketball “no harm no foul”.
anyone who violates laws should be subject to appropriate punishment – which you confirmed is expulsion.
or, do laws only apply to citizens? Which laws do you recommend people have the right to ignore?
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The millions of illegals who stormed across our OPEN borders during the Biden years were NOT residents here for many years. That sir, is a fabrication of the truth to say the least!
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