Originally posted by: Mark
Nope, Obama didn't have a zero-tolerance policy. First-time offenders that entered with their kids weren't charged. I'd like to point out the illegal entry law can even be fully enforced in an entirely different way than Trump has. They don't even have to be charged with a misdemeanor. They can simply be given a civil penalty (a fine) and sent on their way like a speeding ticket. The law was written this way intentionally. It was supposed to be discretionary like the shoplifting example I provided in another post above. The shoplifter can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Illegal entry is a less serious crime, so the illegal entrant can be charged with a simple civil offense (think infraction) and sent on their way. They don't have to be charged with a misdemeanor for the law to be fully enforced as it is written.
Furthermore, it simply doesn't make any sense morally or financially to take someone charged with a misdemeanor and hold them for longer than they would be sentenced for even if found guilty. Then take their kids to the other side of the country and keep them in detention too. The whole scheme is nothing more than a racist ploy to punish the minorities that Trump doesn't like. Yeah, just like the Nazis and it is not hyperbole to say so. How much is Trump spending to incarnate all these folks and their children on misdemeanor charges?
Sooo...just anyone crossing into the country illegally should be allowed in, regardless?
