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EXCLUSIVE: Bicameral legislators are set to introduce a significant bill aimed at imposing harsher penalties on illegal immigrants convicted of sexual offenses.
The Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by Unnaturalized Emigrants Act seeks to formalize aspects of prior President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies, specifically his zero-tolerance stance on illegal border crossings.
Timed to coincide with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the initiative has garnered support from key lawmakers, including Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa and Representative Tony Gonzales from Texas.
Recent data obtained by Gonzales’ office from Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveals that out of a total of 425,431 convicted criminals, 15,811 individuals on the agency’s non-detained docket have been convicted of sexual assault.
The BE GONE Act provides a substantial expansion to the definition of “aggravated felonies” under the established Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also referred to as Title 8.
Senator Ernst emphasized the necessity of the bill, stating that the previous administration under President Trump has made significant progress in reversing the detrimental policies of the past four years. She stressed the importance of ensuring all sexual predators who have entered the U.S. under the current administration are promptly deported.
“The health and safety of our citizens must always come first, and I am determined to work with President Trump towards safeguarding the American populace,” she asserted, reinforcing the urgency of the matter.
In a demonstration of the critical nature of the bill, Gonzales, who represents Texas’ largest border district, highlighted the severe impacts of illegal immigration in areas such as Eagle Pass and Del Rio.
He voiced concerns about the previous policies that hobbled law enforcement, saying, “These measures significantly restricted our Border Patrol agents, resulting in countless warnings being ignored regarding the entry of illegal aliens with violent criminal backgrounds.”
Gonzales noted that a substantial number of individuals apprehended in his district have histories of sexual violence. He reiterated that the BE GONE Act would confer additional powers to the Department of Homeland Security, enabling agents to better identify and deport illegal immigrants charged with sexually violent crimes.
As the movement to pass this bill gains momentum, Gonzales expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Ernst and other colleagues in the House to ensure its progress through Congress.
Support for the BE GONE Act extends beyond lawmakers; it also includes backing from advocacy groups focused on responsible immigration. The organization NumbersUSA has lauded the bill as a necessary measure.
Michael Hough, the director of federal affairs at NumbersUSA, described the legislation as a logical continuation of the Laken Riley Act, which was passed earlier this year to enhance protections for Americans against criminal activities by illegal immigrants.
Joe Chatham from the Federation for American Immigration Reform also conveyed support for the bill, urging Congress to act swiftly on the proposed changes to Title 8.
Chatham pointed out concerning statistics under the current administration, stating that thousands of criminal aliens were apprehended during attempts to enter the U.S. illegally. He highlighted that last year’s data revealed at least 16,320 aliens in the country had prior convictions for sexual assault.
The legislative efforts championed by Ernst underscore her commitment to public safety. Notably, she previously introduced Sarah’s Law, which President Trump signed earlier this year. That law came in response to the tragic death of Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal immigrant in 2016, and represented a long struggle for justice by her family.
As this bill advances, it remains a pivotal element in the ongoing discussion of immigration reform and public safety. Both Ernst and Gonzales have vocalized their commitment to ensuring a legislative framework that protects American citizens and holds accountable those individuals who have committed serious crimes.
Given the current climate surrounding immigration and public safety, the passage of the BE GONE Act could signify a significant shift towards stricter policies aimed at combatting illegal immigration and enhancing the safety of American communities.
As lawmakers prepare to debate this crucial issue, the focus will be on ensuring that both the safety and security of the nation are prioritized in any legislative outcomes.
