WASHINGTON — Is it a crime or free speech for someone to “encourage” immigrants to come to this country illegally, or remain here after their visas have expired?
The Supreme Court grappled with that question Monday in the case of a Sacramento man who charged immigrants $500 to $10,000, and falsely promised he could help them obtain U.S. citizenship.
He was convicted of 15 counts of fraud as well as two counts of encouraging two immigrants to overstay their visas.
