Bill would toughen stance on aliens
Sunday, April 08, 2007
WASHINGTON. Legislation to provide the Coast Guard with greater authority to apprehend and prosecute those attempting to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States by sea has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Bill sponsors include U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-Ventnor.

The bill would make alien smuggling or the conspiracy or attempt to smuggle aliens into the United States a felony offense under federal law. Under current law, alien smuggling is only a felony offense if the smuggler seeks commercial advantage or private financial gain, or seriously harms or endangers an individual. In the maritime domain, such an offense is often difficult or impossible to prove, authorities said, and officials frequently must settle for charging smugglers with lesser offenses or no offense at all.

"It is critical that we give the U.S. Coast Guard the necessary tools to protect our borders. This legislation will ensure that those who smuggle illegal aliens into our country are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," LoBiondo said.

The bill would also order the civil and criminal forfeiture of any vessel that is used to commit a maritime smuggling offense.

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