Did a search but didn't find a duplicate. This is lengthy but well worth it:



Malfeasance, Criminal Negligence and Jamiel Shaw Jr
Posted in Politics & Government, Illegal Aliens & Immigration Reforms on April 10th, 2008 by MorningStar

Entering the U.S. without legal authorization is a federal crime

Section 1325 of Title 8 of the United States Code, subdivision (a), establishes that any person who enters the United States of America without proper and legal authorization has committed a criminal act.

“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.â€