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Sanders Backs Decriminalization of Illegal Border Crossings

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - Bernie Sanders is adding his support to a call by some of
   his fellow presidential hopefuls for decriminalizing illegal border
   crossings.

   The Vermont senator released a detailed immigration policy proposal
   Thursday, writing that unauthorized presence in the United States
   should be "a civil, not a criminal, offense.''

   Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren called in July for repealing the
   criminal prohibition against crossing the border illegally, promising
   in her own immigration plan to ``immediately issue guidance to end
   criminal prosecutions for simple administrative immigration
   violations.''

   Different stances

   South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has suggested he'd support
   making illegal border crossings civil offenses, but not in cases in
   which ``fraud is involved.''Former Vice President Joe Biden also hasn't
   fully backed decriminalization of illegal border crossings, saying
   during a July presidential debate, ``If you cross the border illegally,
   you should be able to be sent back. It's a crime.''

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