Summary
The “Be Gone Act,” introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst, aims to expedite the deportation of illegal migrants convicted of sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence in the United States. This legislation emerges in light of alarming statistics revealing that over 15,000 such offenders are currently residing in the country, prompting calls for stricter immigration enforcement.
The act is part of a broader response to concerns about public safety and the presence of migrants with criminal backgrounds. Recent data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that there are approximately 662,566 migrants with known criminal histories in the U.S., including 13,099 convicted murderers and 15,000 convicted of sexual offenses. The bill seeks to address the challenges posed by “sanctuary” laws that hinder local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, potentially allowing dangerous individuals to remain in communities. Advocates for the bill argue that it is necessary to protect citizens and ensure that violent offenders are removed from the country, especially in the context of rising illegal border crossings.
Legislative Context
Sen. Ernst’s “Be Gone Act” is positioned as a direct response to the perceived failures of current immigration policies, particularly during the Biden-Harris administration, which has seen record levels of illegal crossings and a significant number of migrants being released into the U.S. without adequate vetting. The act proposes to redefine “aggravated felony” to include sexual assault, thus making these offenders eligible for expedited deportation.
Public Safety Concerns
The presence of convicted criminals among the migrant population raises significant public safety issues. ICE has reported that a large portion of the criminal migrant population remains at large due to local jurisdictions’ sanctuary policies. These policies can prevent local law enforcement from alerting federal agencies about known offenders, which can lead to repeated offenses and ongoing risks to community safety.
Broader Implications
The introduction of the “Be Gone Act” reflects ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and public safety in the U.S. It underscores the tension between advocating for humane immigration policies and the need to protect communities from individuals with violent criminal histories. As discussions around border security and immigration reform continue, the act highlights the complexities of balancing these competing priorities.
The next ‘bipartisan border bill’ needs to target the 600K migrant criminals now roaming the country
Oct. 4 / New York Post / Offers a critical perspective on the need for a bipartisan approach to immigration reform, emphasizing the scale of the criminal migrant issue and the failures of current policies, though it skews heavily towards a partisan stance. “ Kamala Harris keeps insisting the failed “bipartisan immigration bill” is the fix for the border crisis, but it sure looks like what the nation actually...
Oct. 1 / New York Post / Highlights the urgent call for stricter deportation measures, presenting compelling statistics and direct quotes from Sen. Ernst, though it could benefit from a broader exploration of opposing viewpoints. “ More than 15,000 illegal immigrants with sexual assault convictions are currently roaming the US. And a new Republican-backed bill would force ICE to track...