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Any immigrant who enters or attempts to enter the U.S. at any place or time not designated by immigration officers, who eludes inspection by officers, who enters or attempts to enter by using false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of material facts, violates U.S. law. A first offense initiates a fine of $50 to $250 and up to 6 months in prison. Subsequent violations are fined between $100 and $500 and carry a prison term up to two years. Other criminal or civil penalties may also be imposed.

Forging, counterfeiting, altering or purchasing any document for entry into the country or during any citizenship proceedings is illegal. Violators face fines of $250 to $2,000 for each document for the first violation and up to five years in prison. Subsequent arrests initiate fines of $2,000 to $5,000 for each document. Those who procure or attempt to procure fake credentials for the purpose of committing a crime face much harsher penalties.

Everyone has a duty to try to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country, including workers on international bridges, toll roads, aircraft, transportation lines and sea-going vessels. Evidence of a person's failure to prevent the entry is the fact that an alien is found in the country and has failed to present himself to immigration officials. If the U.S. Attorney General prosecutes a failure to prevent entry, the accused may face a fine of $3,000 for each violation. A lien of $3,000 for each violation will be placed on an aircraft or other vessel that transported illegal aliens.

Citizens who establish a commercial enterprise to evade immigration laws face up to five years in prison and fines.