Top N.J. federal prosecutor: Being undocumented not a crime

DOVER, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey's top federal prosecutor told a Latino group that it is a civil offense - not a crime - for immigrants to live in the country without proper documentation.

In response to a question on illegal immigration at an open forum Sunday that grew heated, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said living in the United States without immigration paperwork is "an administrative matter" that federal immigration officials are supposed to address.

"Don't let people make you believe that that's a crime that the U.S. Attorney's Office should be doing something about," Christie was quoted as saying in The Star-Ledger of Newark for Monday editions. "It is not."

Christie told the audience it doesn't take a "genius" to see there's a serious immigration problem in this country and that the U.S. needs tighter border security. But he stressed that lacking immigration documents is not a crime unless the person was previously deported.

"If there are people out there committing crimes, they should be dealt with," he said. "If there are undocumented people running around, then Immigration and Customs Enforcement should do their jobs."

Critics quickly categorized Christie's remarks as soft on illegal immigration, a departure for the tough-on-crime prosecutor who is widely considered a leading Republican contender for the 2009 governor's race.

Christie, who was appointed by President Bush, made the remarks during a community forum organized by the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey.

A message left with Christie's office by The Associated Press on Monday was not immediately returned.

Edward Correa, a member of the Latino Leadership Alliance, said the dozens of people who attended Christie's speech had a mixed reaction to his comments.

In 2005, U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner introduced legislation to criminalize any undocumented status. Though the attempt was unsuccessful, it triggered massive pro-immigrant marches across the nation.