TexasCHLforum.com

Unless you have some novel reading methodology, the law clearly states that the penalties for illegally entering the US can be both civil and criminal.

I think what is confusing things is that it is a criminal offense to enter the country illegally. However, it is only a civil offense to be here without authorization/documentation. The government does not try to convict on the illegal entry unless they actually catch the person entering illegally. It is just too expensive and time-consuming to prove after the fact that the person entered illegally.