United States v. Vasquez-Hernandez

Judge Kathleen Cardone

This consolidated appeal acutely illustrates the difficult and controversial nature of our country's immigration laws and their enforcement. Appellants are five asylum seekers who were apprehended shortly after entering into the United States with their minor children. Ultimately, they were separated from the children, prosecuted by the government for the misdemeanor offense of improper entry under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a), and found guilty by the Magistrate Court after separate trials. On appeal, Appellants challenge only their criminal convictions. Although Appellants'…