A new bill may finally end the scorge of a particularly nefarious brand of criminal.
Who are these highly dangerous and unsavory characters? Soccer moms. Clergy. Anyone who gives a neighbor a ride.
Let us at USDemocrazy explain…
The SAFE Act, which passed the House Judiciary Committee this summer, is designed to solve America’s immigration problem. The bill proposes harsh penalties for illegal immigrants. Under the law:
- Being undocumented would be a federal offense
- Overstaying a visa would be a federal offense
- Undocumented individuals would be subject to fines, arrest, and prison time in addition to deportation
And…get ready for this one…
- Knowingly transporting an undocumented person would be a crime punishable by up to five years in jail
This is where the soccer moms come in. As the Center for American Progress points out, a mom that gives an undocumented girl a ride to practice could end up behind bars.
Trying to help out a neighbor? Maybe give them a lift to the hospital? The SAFE Act makes no exceptions.
Really?
Although GovTrack.us only gives it a 5% chance of being enacted, it still begs the question: Why is this even on the table?
Americans want sensible immigration reform, but it might be safe to say at present SAFE is not entirely sensible..
