Release: House Passes Stop Illegal Entry Act

Washington, D.C.- Today, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass Rep. Bice's bill H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act, This legislation increases penalties for aliens who illegally enter or reenter the United States, seeking to discourage migrants from coming to the U.S. illegally and keeping criminal aliens who disregard federal immigration law out of American communities. Congresswoman Bice introduced the legislation with Congressman Brad Knott (NC-13) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has a companion bill in the United States Senate. The White House supports the legislation and issued a Statement of Administrative Policy stating that his advisors would recommend that he sign it into law.

Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement:

"The Biden Administration let over 10 million illegal immigrants into the country and failed to prosecute those who defied U.S. immigration law. These individuals included people from countries designated as state sponsors of terror, with 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List being encountered at the border. We must deter future illegal immigration and give our law enforcement and border patrol officers the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable. This is why I was proud to see my colleagues vote to pass the Stop Illegal Entry Act. This legislation increases penalties for illegal aliens who re-enter the United States, as well as those in the United States who have committed felonies. President Trump has delivered on his promise to secure the border, but we have more work to do to safeguard and protect our communities. This is another step in the right direction."

Speaker Johnson's Statement on Passage of the Stop Illegal Entry Act:

"President Trump's bold actions to secure our border have demonstrated deterrence is an effective method of prevention, and the Stop Illegal Entry Act delivers the enforcement measures necessary to help strengthen law and order at our border. This legislation includes commonsense provisions that impose serious penalties on those who repeatedly and deliberately violate U.S. immigration law - especially violent criminal aliens. By targeting repeat offenders and imposing harsh penalties on violent felons who re-enter after deportation, this bill defends the rule of law and sends an unmistakable message: if you break our laws, there will be severe consequences. Criminal illegal aliens have no place in this country, and House Republicans are committed to uphold the integrity of our laws."

Congressman Knott issued the following statement:

"As a federal prosecutor, I encountered illegal alien criminals who repeatedly reentered the United States after deportation to continue committing crimes against Americans. This pervasive trend will continue, causing endless harm, unless we implement serious deterrents targeting this class of dangerous criminals. The Stop Illegal Entry Act closes that loophole by enabling efficient convictions with strong penalties whenever an illegal immigrant commits a felony or attempts to come back into the country after deportation. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and urge the Senate to get this bill on President Trump's desk quickly."

Bill Summary:

The Stop Illegal Entry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act accordingly:

• Any illegal alien who is convicted of a felony (state OR federal) shall face a minimum sentence of 5 years in federal prison.
• Any illegal re-entry warrants up to 10 years in prison regardless of criminal history.
• Any illegal re-entry after a felony conviction and deportation faces 10 years to life in prison.