Border-bill author: Other nations' entry laws harsher

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Defending his House-passed immigration bill that sparked street protests by millions of immigrants, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee issued a report Friday showing that several countries are harsher than the United Stated in their treatment of illegal immigrants and their employers.

The Law Library of Congress study of immigration laws in six countries found that all but Brazil have criminal penalties for illegal entry and presence inside their borders.

In four of the countries — Japan, Switzerland, Sweden and Egypt — employers can be jailed for up to three months or as long as up to three years for hiring illegal immigrants.

"With all the blustery rhetoric coming from opponents about a 'harsh' and 'Draconian' House bill … I note that five out of the six countries studied — including Mexico — make illegal entry and unlawful presence a criminal offense," said Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.

The House bill, written largely by Sensenbrenner, would make being in the country illegally a felony.

It already is a misdemeanor to enter the country illegally, and re-entering the country after being deported also is a crime.

Illegal presence in the U.S. is now a civil offense.

If you are in Mexico illegally, it is a felony and many are treated very harshly by police and military. Read the AP article here. The illegals clamor in the U.S. with impunity while those in Mexico fear for their lives! -mm