The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that a portion of federal law violates the First Amendment. It violates it by covering speech that is protected by the constitution. This portion of federal law makes it a crime to encourage foreigners to enter or stay in the United States violates the First Amendment. The First Amendment covers speech that is constitutionally protected.
What Federal Prosecutors Are Saying
Federal prosecutors say the law, before the Trump administration, should only apply to individuals who help undocumented immigrants. However, the judge says that reading was “unpersuasive and strained”.
Who the Appeal is Based On
Furthermore, this decision was based on an appeal from California immigration consultant, Evelyn Sineneng-Smith, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison. A jury convicted her on tax and mail fraud charges. However, under the violation of the law about encouraging foreigners to reside illegally in the United States.
Resentencing
Due to the appeals court panels decisions, she will have to be re-sentenced. This is because the court vacated her conviction on the charge of encouraging immigrants to reside in the United States illegally.
President’s Views
Trump has railed against the 9th Circuit in recent weeks, blasting appeals and district court judges for their rulings that block his own immigration related policies. Also, Steven Stafford, the Justice Department spokesman, stated that “it is illegal to knowingly assist in the commission of … crimes”.
Conclusion
He further states that “it is only right that Congress, has criminalized assisting in the commission of immigration crimes as well”.
Future
The next steps that could be followed is the government could ask a larger, 11-judge 9th Circuit panel to take up the issue. Similarly, even ask the Supreme Court to step in.
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