The southern border of the United States is wide open and people from all over the world are illegally entering the country at a rapid pace. Many of these individuals are unvetted, have criminal backgrounds, or are on terror watch lists. For four years, the Biden administration and Democrats have done little to nothing to stop it. To push back against the influx of people illegally entering the country and to protect Americans, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., recently introduced a House bill to deport illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes and various other crimes. Sadly, as reported by Fox News, “The legislation passed along bipartisan lines in a 274 to 145 vote. All present Republicans supported the bill, while the opposition was all made up of Democratic lawmakers.”
The bill, H.R. 30, otherwise known as the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, amended the Immigration and Nationality Act and stated that “aliens who have been convicted of or who have committed sex offenses or domestic violence are inadmissible and deportable.”
The importance of this bill cannot be overstated. As reported by Fox News in September of last year, citing data provided by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with sex offenses and homicide convictions could be loose on the streets.” This is unsurprising given the Biden administration’s inept immigration and border policies.
Democrats who voted against the bill made various unconvincing arguments. For example, according to Fox News, progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., argued that the bill does not address the needs of the American people and "widens the highway to Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans." Jaypal further argued that the bill would serve to chill others from reporting crimes and "empower abusers to go after immigrant women and children."
Jaypal’s arguments are easily disposed of and should be disregarded in their entirety. The bill will not serve to chill others from reporting crimes, nor does it empower abusers. To the contrary, the bill serves to punish those who are in the country illegally and who have been convicted or have committed/admitted to committing certain crimes.
Along these same lines, the bill will certainly address the needs of the American people by helping to make America safer by deporting those who are in the country illegally and who engage in conduct covered by the bill. To say that this does not address the needs of the American people is naïve and ludicrous. Too many innocent people have already fallen victim to crimes of this nature nationwide.
Democrats have a history of placing those who are in the country illegally above the needs and/or safety of American citizens. For example, when he took office, Biden reversed many of Trump’s immigration policies, such as the remain-in-Mexico policy, although they worked very well to curb the flow of illegal immigrants entering the country. Also, due to Biden’s terrible border policies, crime increased in various cities, schools lacked room/space for those who were there illegally, various cities faced a housing crisis due to increasing populations, and American taxpayers helped immigrants pay for housing.
While Democrats have done their best to place American citizens last, the fact that so many Democrats voted against this bill is very concerning and troubling. The purpose of this bill is to, first and foremost, protect Americans from various crimes committed by those in the country illegally. According to Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, who supported the bill, H.R. 30 would "ensure that any illegal immigrant who commits a sex crime or domestic violence offense is swiftly detained and deported."
There is no justifiable reason why any Democrat would vote against a bill of this nature. It places America first and penalizes those who are in the country illegally and who commit certain crimes. Fortunately, given the current makeup in the House, House Democrats were unable to block the bill from moving forward. However, the fact that so many Democrats voted against the bill should concern all American citizens who value safety, a strong border, and security.
Mr. Hakim is an attorney and columnist. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, Townhall, Write Revolution News, and other online publications. He has also appeared on OANN’s Tipping Point, Newsmax, Steadfast and Loyal Podcast with Allen West, and Real America’s Voice. The views expressed herein are the author’s own and do not constitute legal advice.