Bill O'Reilly Misleads the Public

On the O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel tonight, I heard Bill O'Reilly repeat again his often quote that illegal entry into the United States is a civil offense and not a crime.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  First offense is a misdemeanor and a second offense can be a felony. Here is the law obtained from the Cornell Law site:

1. U.S. Code › Title 8 › Chapter 12 › Subchapter II › Part VIII › § 1325

8 U.S. Code § 1325 - Improper entry by alien

Current through Pub. L. 114-38. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)

• US Code
• Notes

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(a)Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; misrepresentation and concealment of facts

Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.