Does the constitution and bill of rights apply to immigrants and visitors as well?

Question

I'm curious in theory or reality does the constitution extend itself to legal immigrants and or visitors?

For example someone visiting from england commits a crime here......even something as serious as murder or as low as pettty theft does he have the right to legal counsel..etc etc etc?

how does that work?

Answer 1

Review the case of Neil Entwistle.  He was from England - and he did commit a crime here.

He had choice of legal counsel of his own or public defender.  

He is now getting the priviledge of enjoying the same prison time a citizen would get for same crime following his finding of guilt in a court of law.

Answer 2

There are lawyers that will help these criminals that are here illegal and can't abide by the law.They should be deported immediatly

Answer 3

simple answer is yes.  it also applies to illegal immigrants, btw.

Answer 4

Yes, the US and state constitutions and all laws apply to anyone within the country unless stated otherwise in the law itself.  By setting foot in a country, you agree to follow its laws (and receive its legal protections).  Even illegal immigrants have the same constitutional rights as anyone else.  Note that the constitution always says "people" or "person", never "citizen" or "American".

Answer 5

Not necessarily. The legal protections in our Constitution apply to non-citizens. But firearms ownership for example, you must be a US citizen.