Diana Sack: Recent letters about immigration show misunderstanding of the facts

To The Daily Sun,

A number of recent letters have based immigration arguments on a misunderstanding of the facts. To correct the record:

Entering the country without documentation is not a crime. It is a civil violation. If it were a crime, the government would be required to provide the accused with a lawyer at great expense and due process would be required, neither of which is occurring.

There is a difference between a Green Card and an Employment Authorization Document. An EAD enables an “illegal” immigrant to work, to pay taxes, and to receive no benefits and takes months to acquire while they wait for their Green Card. A Green Card enables an immigrant also to receive benefits and takes years to acquire.

This clarification is on the authority of immigration lawyers experienced both in successful applications for EADs, Green Cards, and citizenship and in criminal defense.

A misunderstanding of these differences perpetuates misplaced feelings of being exploited.

Diana Sack

Laconia