This bill applies not just to human smuggling in the maritime context. but to all crossborder human smuggling. It provides appropriately tough penalties for the kind of serious smuggling offenses Ive just described. while distinguishing those from other types of transport such as noncommercial efforts to reunify families. While these practices also violate our immigration laws. they do not fall into the same category of offense. and should not be treated as harshly. Although the bill streamlines and strengthens the current offense language.. it does not abandon existing case law that applies to alien smuggling offenses. For instance. it will remain a violation of Federal law both to bring illegal aliens to the United States and to bring other aliens across the border through places other than those designated as official entry ports. This is especially critical as Congress mandates that the Department of Homeland Security Institute biometric entry and exit systems. For an orderly and fair immigration system to work. people must come in through these sites. The bill also prevents the current list of illegal activities. smuggling. recruiting. transporting and harboring. without adding new activities. such as assisting aliens in their efforts to enter our country. Again. this preserves the distinction between true smuggling and the work of groups such as faithbased organizations. who seek to serve the alien community on humanitarian grounds.
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illegal aliens immigration