The fifth category is the one on which I believe there is the biggest disagreement. This has to do with socalled absconders and identity thieves. This gets to the essence of this bill and whether we are serious about restoring the rule of law to our immigration sys-. tem and whether we are going to send a message. loudly and clearly. that while we might be willing to consider those who have entered our country without a visa. who are by definition guilty of a misdemeanor. or those who have come in legally and who have overstayed. who are guilty of a status violation under our immigration lawswhile we might be willing to consider them for a path to legalization and citizenship under some conditions. we should not allow a path to legalization and citizenship for those who have openly defied our courts. the lawful orders of our courts. and who have shown themselves as having no regard for the rule of law. What kind of citizens can we expect these individuals to be. individuals who have been ordered deported. who have had their day in court and who simply defied that court order by going on the lam and melting into the American landscape. or those who have been ordered deported and who have actually been deported but then who have reentered the country? Both of those. going on the lam after you have been ordered deported and reentering after you have been actually deported. are felonies under section 243 of the Immigration and Naturalization Acta felony. If we are serious about restoring respect for the rule of law. then we should. at the very least. prohibit felons and repeat offenders from getting the Z visa or path to legal status. including the opportunity to apply for legal permanent residency and citizenship. We should be willing to draw a bright line there. I have to say. with all due respect. if we do not adopt this amendment. then we might as well retitle that section of this bill. "No Felon Left Behind." It is clear. whether it is gang members. terrorists. sex offenders or repeat drunk drivers. these people have thumbed their noses at the law.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that those who defy court orders or re-enter the country after deportation cannot be good citizens.