The federal House of Representatives recently passed a bill with some bipartisan support that would increase prison sentences for migrants convicted of repeatedly entering the United States illegally or entering the country and committing a crime. Serious felony. .
The project known as “Stop Illegal Entry Act” , was introduced by Republican Representatives Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, Brad Knott, District 13, North Carolina , and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
Furthermore, the White House supports the legislation and issued a Statement of Administrative Policy stating that its advisors would recommend that it be signed into law.
Related: North Carolina consolidates its position as one of the main bastions of 287(g) under Trump
Eleven Democrats support the law
Eleven Democrats joined Republicans in a 226-197 vote to pass legislation HR 3486, which is part of a broader anti-immigration push by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers.
The 11 Democrats who voted for the bill on September 11 represent seats in key states that are Republican targets next year, including Don Davis , who represents the District 1 of North Carolina .
Minimum sentence of five years for committing a serious crime and illegal reentry
The bill would establish a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and allow up to life imprisonment for migrants who enter or attempt to enter the United States illegally and are later convicted of a felony.
The bill would also increase the maximum prison sentence from two to five years for repeated trespassing.
Related: North Carolina bill proposes higher penalties for crimes if the defendant is undocumented.
In response to Biden's policies
Representative Bice, who issued a release After the vote, he said the measure was necessary to respond to the immigration policies of former President Joe Biden, whom conservatives have criticized for allowing thousands of migrants into the country.
“These individuals included people from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, with 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List found at the border,” Bice said in the statement.
"We must deter illegal immigration in the future and give our law enforcement and border patrol officers the tools they need to remove dangerous criminals," he added.
Democrats who oppose it see it as a waste of resources.
Democrats who opposed the measure said penalties already exist for migrants who commit serious crimes in the United States and that the legislation would reinforce the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies.
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in remarks on the floor that migrants who enter the country and commit heinous crimes already face state penalties ranging from life in prison to the death penalty.
"We're saying we're going to hold people who have done nothing more than enter the country illegally for much longer periods of time, for five or 10 years. And again, we see this as a waste in terms of public tax dollars," Raskin noted.
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Prison sentences for re-entry after multiple deportations could increase
The bill also includes provisions to increase prison sentences for migrants convicted of re-entry after being removed from the United States multiple times, or who were convicted of crimes prior to their removal.
Knott, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in remarks on the floor that the legislation “profoundly enables law enforcement to protect us” from crimes perpetrated by those who enter the United States illegally.
“No matter the type or category, all crimes are made worse by illegal immigration,” Knott said in a statement. release.
“Robbery, assault, murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, violent crime, property crime, you name it. Illegal immigration makes it worse. What's perhaps most unfortunate is that many of the worst offenders in this specific category return to the United States after being deported due to loopholes in current immigration law,” the Republican noted.
Knott, a former prosecutor, said he saw during his time in that role that the deportation process alone was insufficient to stop migrants seeking to enter the United States illegally.
“I have investigated, prosecuted, and convicted many people who have been deported twice, three times, four times, and some even more than 10 times, yet continue to return illegally with the sole intention,” Knott said.
Heading to the Senate where he needs 60 votes
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-vote majority but need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster on the legislation.
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
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