Press Release
Increased penalties and stronger enforcementHouse passes the Stop Illegal Entry ActWith the strong support and vote of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act, comprehensive legislation to undo the disastrous open borders policy of the Biden-Harris Administration, reform our immigration system, and hold criminals accountable for their violent actions. “HR 3486 increases penalties for individuals who illegally enter the United States and commit felonies or unlawfully reenter the United States,” said Smith, a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Unfettered immigration seriously endangers the safety of all Americans, especially and including women and children, who are most vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking. It also threatens our economy and enables the smuggling of deadly drugs, like Chinese-made fentanyl, into our country. Those who engage in these practices will now pay a far higher price for their actions,” stated Smith. As passed by the House, the Stop Illegal Entry Act will increase the mandatory minimum prison term up to five years and allows a life sentence for those convicted of certain crimes. It also increases the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment up to 10 years and allows a sentence of life imprisonment for individuals who 1) were convicted of felonies before removal, 2) were convicted of illegal reentries at least two times before removal, and/or 3) entered or tried to renter the United States—a particularly important tool to help target human traffickers and drug smugglers. “We must continue to reduce the incentives for illegal immigration and penalize those who arrive in the United States unlawfully and go on to commit violent crimes against U.S. citizens,” said Smith, who earlier this year supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which enhances and strengthens deportation laws. “I am confident that this legislation will have a chilling effect on the millions of undocumented aliens who seek to illegally enter the United States each year,” said Smith. “President Trump has already made significant strides in shoring up our Southern border and curbing illegal immigration, but congressional legislation is needed to ensure that the President’s great work thus far is codified and cannot be easily undone by future administrations,” noted Smith. The Biden Administration’s policies allowed 10 million unvetted, illegal immigrants to enter the United States—including those from countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Over 400 illegal aliens on the Terror Watch List were encountered at the border from 2020-2024, endangering millions of Americans. “This powerful legislation delivers for the American people, ensuring safety and security for all by cracking down on those who wish to enter the country unlawfully and commit violent crimes,” added Smith. “I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this critical legislation and immediately send it to President Trump’s desk. The United States must send a forceful message to would-be illegal aliens and criminals: an unlawful presence in this country will lead to a tough prison sentence.”
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