The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to deport noncitizen sex offenders and domestic abusers, sparking intense debate and revealing deep partisan divisions.
At a Glance
- House passes Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act with a 266-158 vote
- Bill aims to deport noncitizens convicted of sex offenses and domestic violence
- 51 Democrats supported the bill, while 158 opposed it
- Legislation closes loopholes in the Immigration and Nationality Act
- ICE officials emphasize the need to remove dangerous offenders for public safety
House Passes Controversial Deportation Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a new bill targeting noncitizen sex offenders and domestic abusers for deportation. The Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), passed with a vote of 266-158, with 51 Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, making aliens convicted of sex offenses or domestic violence inadmissible and deportable. Offenses covered include stalking, child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment, violation of protective orders, and conspiracy to commit a sex offense.
The House passed a bill that would require the federal government to deport illegal immigrants who have a criminal history involving domestic violence and sex offenses. https://t.co/nHpGpnF8px
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 19, 2024
Republican Support and Democrat Opposition
Republicans, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), strongly backed the bill. They argued it would enhance public safety by removing dangerous offenders from U.S. communities. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) emphasized the need to close loopholes that currently allow such offenders to evade deportation.
“Everybody on the House floor should vote for that bill,” Scalise said. “But if any Democrat there vote against it, they’re going to have to explain to people back home who are watching this be carried out in every community in America, why they would rather stand with illegals than women in their own districts that they represent.”
However, 158 Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it could have unintended consequences. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) contended that the legislation did not effectively address loopholes and might harm those it intends to protect. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) claimed the bill could potentially hurt domestic violence survivors.
ICE Officials Stress Public Safety Concerns
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have emphasized the necessity of deporting sex offenders to prioritize public safety. Recent arrests by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in major cities like Boston, Baltimore, and New York underscore the ongoing challenge of addressing this issue.
“Every member voting against this bill shows the American people they care more about illegal aliens than our women and children.”
The bill’s passage is part of a broader Republican legislative agenda targeting the border crisis and challenging the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies. As the debate continues, the fate of the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act remains uncertain in the Senate, where it faces potential obstacles.
Sources
1. House passes bill requiring deportation of illegal immigrants with history of sex offenses
2. 158 House Democrats vote against deporting sex offenders
