Illegally entering the US

1. The US judicial system has 3 main classifications for legal offenses: Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions. These are generally defined with "levels" based on the assigned punishment, and may be specifically defined by each state (examples - Class C Felony: 10-25 years in prison and up to $250k fine; Class C Misdemeanor 5-30 days in prison and up to $5k fine). Were you familiar with these classifications in the US legal system?

2. What offense classification do you think illegally entering the country is?

3. "8 USC 1325: Improper entry be alien" This section of the law from the UScode.house.gov site provides a punishment for an alien's first offense to include a fine (under title 18 - up to $250) and imprisonment of not more than 6 months - this would indicate the offense is considered a Misdemeanor (Class B). Subsequent offenses would increase the fine and prison time, but it would remain a Misdemeanor. Does this surprise you than this offense is a Misdemeanor?

4. Many individuals in the US illegally actually entered the country legally and then stayed beyond their authorized legal period. This is actually considered a Civil Violation/Infraction, and not even a misdemeanor. Did you already know this?