Is giving food and water to illegal immigrants against the law?
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Is giving food and water to illegal immigrants against the law?
There are many immigrants who die in the desert every year my church group wants to bring them food and water. What would happen if we were caught? A fine?
Asked on September 22, 2011 under Immigration Law, Arizona
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It seems impossible to imagine that charitable acts by members of a Church - or Good Samaritans as one may call then - could ever be considered illegal and that there should be fear of prosecution involved. But there is a fine line these days between charitable acts and what could be considered harboring a fugitive. The law regarding illegal immigrants generally states that it makes it illegal for any one or any organization to "knowingly and recklessly assist" illegal immigrants in transporting them or giving them shelter. While an attorney can not advise you to do anything to break the law, interpreting it is not advising as such. I am sure that many illegal immigrants wander in to food lines and soup kitchens around the United States. No one asks for a passport or visa. Check the law in your state for the ramifications. The law I stated above deals with Alabama. Good luck.
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