On September 20, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at authorizing the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of sex offenses. The bill, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The legislation, officially titled the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, was approved with a bipartisan vote of 266-158. All Republicans who voted supported the bill, along with 51 Democrats, while 158 Democrats opposed it. The bill proposes significant changes to federal immigration law, making any illegal immigrant convicted of a sex offense, such as possession of child pornography or soliciting a minor for sexual conduct, inadmissible to the United States. If already within the country, these individuals would face deportation.
The legislation seeks to close existing loopholes in immigration law that, according to its proponents, allow dangerous individuals to remain in the U.S. even after committing serious crimes. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-California, emphasized the need to ensure that illegal immigrants who commit sex offenses or domestic violence are either prevented from entering the country or swiftly deported if found.
Existing immigration law classifies illegal immigrants convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude” as inadmissible. However, exceptions exist for those who committed the offense as minors or if the crime carried a maximum sentence of one year or less. Proponents of the new bill argue that these exceptions have allowed individuals convicted of sex crimes to evade deportation.
The bill’s passage reflects a divided Congress, with both supporters and critics voicing strong opinions on its potential impact. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, voted against the bill, arguing that it introduces redundancies in immigration law and may result in unintended consequences. Nadler raised concerns that the bill’s broad language could lead to the deportation of survivors of domestic violence, who may face removal based on overly generalized criteria.
In response, Rep. Mace defended the bill, citing numerous instances where illegal immigrants had committed sex crimes, including the rape of a 9-year-old girl in Ohio. She criticized current immigration policies, questioning the toll these policies have taken on women and children in the U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has previously expressed concern that categorically removing all domestic violence offenders could discourage victims from reporting crimes. This memorandum was referenced by Rep. Mace, who reiterated her belief that illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes should face immediate deportation.
Despite these concerns, Mace remained firm in her stance. “We shouldn’t let them into our country under any circumstances, and if we catch them, we send them back,” she stated during the House debate.
The bill’s passage through the House marks a significant step in the legislative process, with the Senate now set to debate the proposal. If passed, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act would impose stricter consequences on illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes, reflecting heightened efforts to address public safety concerns through immigration reform.