New House Bill Seeks to Deport Violent Immigrants

The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill mandating the deportation of undocumented immigrants with domestic violence records, sparking debate on immigration policy and victim protection.

At a Glance

House passes “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act” with bipartisan support.
Bill requires deportation of undocumented immigrants convicted of domestic violence or sex crimes.
Introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a survivor of rape and domestic abuse.
Critics argue the bill may unintentionally harm domestic abuse victims.
Legislation is part of broader Republican immigration reform strategy.

House Passes Controversial Immigration Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a new bill that mandates the deportation of undocumented immigrants with records of domestic violence or sex crimes. The legislation, titled the “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act,” passed with a vote of 266 to 158, with 51 Democrats joining all Republicans in support.

Introduced by Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, the bill aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make aliens convicted of sex offenses or domestic violence inadmissible and deportable. Mace, a survivor of rape and domestic abuse herself, emphasized the bill’s focus on common sense and protecting innocent victims.

Bipartisan Support and Republican Backing

The bill received strong support from House Republican leadership, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), who criticized “woke prosecutors” and urged all House members to vote for the legislation. Notable Democrats who supported the bill include Reps. Mary Peltola, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, Jared Moskowitz, and Hillary Scholten.

“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.” –

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) accused Democrats of being inconsistent in their stance on protecting women, while Mace defended the bill passionately during the debate, drawing from her personal experiences.

Democratic Opposition and Concerns

Despite the bipartisan support, the bill faced significant opposition from many Democrats. House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) argued that the bill’s redundancies would not add any new protections and could have harsh unintended consequences. He called it a Republican attempt to scapegoat immigrants.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) echoed these sentiments, criticizing the bill as xenophobic and fear-mongering about immigrants. Critics argue that the legislation mirrors current laws and might unintentionally harm victims of domestic abuse who are also undocumented.

Broader Immigration Reform Context

The “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act” is part of a broader Republican legislative agenda targeting border issues and tying Democrats to the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies. This comes amidst ongoing debates about comprehensive immigration reform, including discussions about the Dream Act, which aims to protect certain immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation.

As the bill moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will fare in the Senate and what impact it may have on the broader immigration debate in the United States. The legislation underscores the complex intersections of immigration policy, public safety, and victim protection that continue to challenge lawmakers and shape national discourse.