The House on Wednesday voted to pass legislation that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow for the detention and deportation of illegal aliens who assault law enforcement officers.
The Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act was introduced by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and was among other bills that are being brought up for a vote to coincide with National Police Week.
"There is no reason that an illegal alien who attacks our law enforcement should remain in our country; that shows zero respect for our rule of law or our institutions, and they will not be positive contributors to society," Van Drew said in a statement when he introduced the legislation in February. "My bill would require that federal law enforcement detain these individuals until they are deported from the country. In addition, it will create a new category for migrant inadmissibility, which specifically bars illegal aliens from remaining in our country who have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admitted to committing assault against law enforcement officers.
"Our police put their lives on the line every day to keep our citizens safe – you do not get to break our law by crossing the border illegally, attack those whose job is to protect and defend the public, and then expect to stay in the United States,” he added. “Unfortunately, until our borders are closed and secured, these types of laws are necessary to protect our nation and its citizens."
If you assault the Americans who keep us safe, you will be detained and you will be deported.
— Congressman Jeff Van Drew (@Congressman_JVD) May 15, 2024
If President Biden would properly secure our border, this common sense bill would not even be necessary.
Until then, we must demand that actions have consequences. pic.twitter.com/5OHavQKVhk
While Republicans were joined by dozens of their colleagues on the other side of the aisle in passing the measure, 148 Democrats voted against the legislation.
Today, Democrats had a choice between standing up for our law enforcement or standing with illegal immigrants.
— Congressman Jeff Van Drew (@Congressman_JVD) May 16, 2024
Unsurprisingly, they chose illegal immigrants. https://t.co/lnko2eblAH