Pelosi's Stance On Illegal Aliens: Lawbreakers Or Not?

There is no evidence that Nancy Pelosi said illegal aliens didn't break the law. However, in 2018, she did say that a violation of status is not a reason for deportation, and that using terminology like 'illegal aliens illegally entering the country' is just not viewed as constructive. In 2019, Pelosi was quoted as saying that illegal aliens breaking laws is not a reason to deport, but it is unclear whether she was paraphrasing her 2018 statement or quoting someone else.

There is no evidence that Pelosi said illegal aliens didn't break the law

There is no evidence that Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, said "illegal aliens didn't break the law". In fact, several fact-checking sources have debunked this claim. Reuters, for instance, could not find any record of Pelosi making these comments, and Snopes could not verify the statement even after sifting through her many pronouncements on immigration.

While Pelosi has never expressly stated that "illegal aliens didn't break the law", she has expressed similar sentiments. In 2006, she said on the PBS NewsHour that "not all of the millions of illegal immigrants came to the country illegally". She elaborated by saying that some people "came and their visas expired or they're on a backlog at the immigration service". Pelosi has also criticised a reporter for using the term "illegal aliens", saying that it is "not constructive".

In addition, Pelosi has made comments that suggest she believes illegal aliens should not be deported solely for violating US law. For example, at an event in 2019, she said, "A violation of status is not a reason for deportation. That's just not so". However, it is important to note that Pelosi's comments do not explicitly condone illegal immigration or suggest that illegal aliens have not broken any laws. Instead, her statements acknowledge the complexities of immigration law and the various ways in which individuals may find themselves in the country without legal status.

Pelosi has been falsely quoted by social media users

Several social media posts have circulated quotes attributed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about "illegal aliens". However, these quotes have been fabricated and falsely attributed to her. There is no evidence that Pelosi made these statements.

One such fabricated quote reads: "We should only deport illegal aliens if they do something illegal." Another variation of the quote is: "Just because someone is here illegally doesn’t mean they broke any of our laws." These quotes aim to portray Pelosi as unfit for her role and are often shared alongside memes that suggest she is stupid.

In reality, Pelosi has criticised the use of terms like "illegal aliens" and "illegal alien illegally entering the country", stating that such terminology is "not constructive". She has emphasised the need to protect America's borders while also upholding its values and supporting asylum seekers.

While Pelosi has not been accurately quoted on this specific issue, she has made similar remarks in the past. For example, in 2006, she stated on the PBS NewsHour that not all undocumented immigrants came to the country illegally, acknowledging that some entered legally but overstayed their visas or had issues with the immigration service.

It is important to fact-check information found on social media and other sources to prevent the spread of misinformation and false quotes attributed to public figures.

Pelosi has criticised the use of the term illegal alien

In June 2018, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticised a reporter for using the term "illegal alien", saying that "using terminology like 'illegal aliens illegally entering the country' is just not viewed as constructive". Pelosi's exact words can be heard on C-SPAN around the 15:30 mark.

Pelosi's criticism of the reporter's language is consistent with her stance on immigration. While she has called for "strong, smart border security", she has also supported the Dream Act and the DACA program. Additionally, Pelosi has condemned the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration enforcement policy, which resulted in the separation of children from their families at the US-Mexico border.

In 2006, Pelosi acknowledged that while many undocumented immigrants did enter the country illegally, others had entered legally but overstayed, worked without authorisation, or violated the conditions of their visas in some other way. She emphasised the need to strengthen security at the border while also protecting American values.

Despite Pelosi's clear position on immigration, some social media users have shared fabricated quotes attributed to her, which aim to portray her as unfit for her role. One such example is the quote, "Just because someone is here illegally doesn't mean they broke any of our laws", which has been debunked by fact-checking organisations.

Pelosi has supported the Dream Act and the DACA program

There is no evidence to support the claim that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "illegal aliens didn't break the law". However, Pelosi has supported legislation to protect undocumented immigrants, including the Dream Act and the DACA program.

Pelosi has been a vocal supporter of the Dream Act, which aims to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, also known as "Dreamers". In 2024, she marked the 10th anniversary of the House passage of the Dream Act, calling it a "momentous first step to protect our brave young Dreamers and ensure the American Dream was available to all". Pelosi has also supported the Dream and Promise Act, which builds on the Dream Act by expanding protections to include recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

In addition to the Dream Act, Pelosi has also supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was established by the Obama administration in 2012. DACA provides temporary relief from deportation and work permits for eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. Pelosi celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling in 2020 that the Trump administration's attempt to terminate DACA was "illegal" and "immoral". She has also pushed for legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, such as the American Dream and Promise Act.

Pelosi's support for these initiatives reflects her belief in the importance of immigration to the United States and her commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants, particularly those who were brought to the country as children. While she has called for stronger border security, she has also emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that respects the diversity of America and recognises the contributions of immigrants.

Pelosi has opposed Trump's zero tolerance immigration enforcement policy

There is no evidence that Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, said "illegal aliens didn't break the law". However, Pelosi has opposed former President Trump's zero-tolerance immigration enforcement policy, which has been criticised as a human rights violation.

On April 6, 2018, Trump's Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a new zero-tolerance policy, directing US attorney's offices along the southwest border to accept all cases involving illegal entry for criminal prosecution. This policy resulted in the separation of nearly 3,000 children from their parents. Although Trump eventually signed an executive order halting family separation, the zero-tolerance policy remained in place.

The policy has been described as an effort to punish families, with the Trump administration specifically choosing to prosecute parents travelling with children over adults travelling alone. This approach is in sharp contrast to previous administrations, under which parents with children were rarely prosecuted.

The zero-tolerance policy has also been criticised for its impact on asylum seekers, with the current administration explicitly targeting those who enter the country illegally. This goes against international refugee law, which states that countries should not penalise asylum seekers for entering without authorisation if they present themselves to authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry.

In addition to human rights concerns, the policy has been scrutinised for its financial costs, with immigration prosecutions requiring significant resources from federal prosecutors, courts, and other government entities.

Pelosi has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies, including the zero-tolerance policy. While calling for strong border security, she has supported programmes like the Dream Act and DACA and condemned the separation of children from their families at the US-Mexico border.

Frequently asked questions