Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and a group of Republican colleagues Wednesday to introduce the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, commonly referred to as Kate’s Law. The legislation aims to impose mandatory minimum sentences of five years for illegal aliens who reenter the United States after being deported, particularly those with multiple convictions or aggravated felony records.
The bill is designed to strengthen border security and deter repeat illegal crossings, addressing what lawmakers describe as a critical flaw in the nation’s immigration enforcement system.
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The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), James Lankford (R-OK), Ted Budd (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Jim Justice (R-WV), seeks to amend federal law to impose stricter penalties on individuals who repeatedly violate U.S. immigration laws. Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, signaling a unified Republican effort to address illegal immigration and public safety concerns.
Senator Rick Scott emphasized the urgency of the legislation, citing the Biden administration’s immigration policies as a contributing factor to rising public safety concerns.
“It is shocking to think that an illegal alien can repeatedly enter our country, be removed, and subsequently re-enter the country illegally without serious consequences, especially when that illegal alien is convicted of violent crimes,” Scott said. “After four years of Joe Biden’s open border and soft-on-crime policies allowing this to happen, it is no wonder families feel unsafe in their everyday lives and overwhelmingly elected President Trump to restore law and order. Kate’s Law will equip federal law enforcement to crack down on and deter repeated illegal border crossers, and will hold violent illegal aliens accountable to stop them from causing harm in our communities.”
Senator Ted Cruz, who first introduced the legislation a decade ago, highlighted the tragic case of Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman who was fatally shot in San Francisco in 2015 by an illegal alien and convicted felon who had been deported five times.
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“I first introduced the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, also known as Kate’s Law, a decade ago. It is named in honor of Kate Steinle, who was murdered by an illegal alien and convicted felon who had reentered our country,” Cruz said. “President Trump and the new Republican Congress are taking decisive action to restore order and address the chaos created by the Biden administration. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and pass it expeditiously.”
The Stop Illegal Reentry Act would impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being deported, particularly those with multiple convictions or aggravated felony records. The bill aims to close loopholes that allow repeat offenders to evade serious consequences and to deter future illegal crossings.
Senator Chuck Grassley underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law. “America is a sovereign nation, and our borders shouldn’t be abused. We need tougher penalties for individuals who re-enter our country illegally, especially those who do so with a criminal history,” Grassley said. “The Stop Illegal Reentry Act would help keep dangerous criminals off the streets and crack down on those who consistently disregard our nation’s immigration laws.”
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Representative Stephanie Bice echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for accountability. “We must take a firm stance against individuals who continue to violate our laws and endanger the safety of the American people,” Bice said. “The previous administration’s disastrous handling of border enforcement has made our country less safe and our streets more dangerous. By imposing serious penalties on violent felons who repeatedly re-enter the country after deportation, we can deter the cycle of illegal reentry, uphold the rule of law, and send a clear message that actions have consequences.”
The Stop Illegal Reentry Act is named in honor of Kate Steinle, whose murder in 2015 became a rallying cry for immigration reform. Steinle’s killer, an illegal alien with multiple felony convictions, had been deported five times before returning to the United States illegally. The case highlighted gaps in immigration enforcement and spurred calls for stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
The legislation aims to address these gaps by increasing criminal penalties for illegal reentry, particularly for individuals with criminal histories. Supporters argue that the bill will enhance public safety and restore integrity to the nation’s immigration system.
The introduction of the Stop Illegal Reentry Act marks a significant step in the Republican-led effort to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. With bipartisan support for immigration reform remaining elusive, the bill’s passage will likely depend on the Republican majority in Congress and the support of President Trump, who has made border security a cornerstone of his administration.
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