Borders Quote by Madeleine Albright
“There is a significant moral difference between a person who commits a violent crime and a person who tries to cross a border illegally in order to put food on the family table. Such migrants my violate our laws against illicit entry, but if that's all they do they are trespassers, not criminals. They deserve to have their dignity respected.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Immigration Policy, United Nations General Assembly, 2000
Violent crime and illegal border crossing differ morally; migrants seeking food are trespassers, not criminals, and deserve dignity.
In simple terms: Migrants seeking food are not criminals.
Key Takeaway
Respect migrant dignity.
Themes
morality
immigration
human rights
Mood
empathetic
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- humanitarian aid
- community outreach
- legal reform
Key Concepts
ethical distinction
legal vs moral
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How should laws balance security and compassion?
- What responsibilities do societies have to protect basic needs?
A Different Perspective
Criminal justice focus may overlook systemic causes.
![“[Immigrants] who come from anywhere there is hunger, unemployment, oppression, and violence and who clandestinely cross the borders of countries that are prosperous, peaceful, and rich in opportunity, are certainly breaking the law, but they are exercising a natural and moral right which no legal…” quote by Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b4/mario-vargas-llosa-1493_breaking-the-law_immigrants-who-come-from-anywhere-there_2374522.jpg)
![“If they [mexicans] cross the border, I think, and they are violating the law, then that word criminal does connect with that violation, so if they're violating the law, I guess you can call them criminals. We call everybody else criminals that violate the law.” quote by Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/597/joe-arpaio-9065_borders_if-they-mexicans-cross-the-border-i-thin_1057318.jpg)
