Rep. Jasmine Crockett Faces Backlash Over Claim Illegal Entry Into U.S. Is Not a Crime

The Texas Democrat's comments on MSNBC have drawn criticism for contradicting federal law and sparked a broader debate on immigration policy.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) stated on MSNBC that entering the U.S. illegally is not a criminal offense but a civil violation.
Her remarks were challenged as inaccurate, with critics citing federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1325) that classifies illegal entry as a misdemeanor punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Crockett argued that law enforcement should focus on violent crimes rather than immigration enforcement, which she described as a Republican priority.
The comments have drawn significant attention online, with figures like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and others highlighting the legal inaccuracy of her statement.
Crockett also criticized Republicans for supporting immigration raids while defending former President Donald Trump, whom she labeled as a criminal.