On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that mandates the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes.
The legislation, titled the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, received bipartisan support, passing with 274 votes in favor. All present Republicans backed the bill, while 145 Democrats voted against it.
The bill, originally introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) during the 118th Congress, failed to advance in the then-Democrat-controlled Senate. Fox News reported that 158 Democrats voted against the legislation at that time.
In her remarks following the bill’s passage, Mace stated, “More of our colleagues from the Left side of the aisle voted to pass HR 30 this time around because they have no elections coming up this year, and no open-borders presidential candidate to defend. House GOP never wavered on our priorities to stand with women.”
The bill not only ensures the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes but also classifies those who admit to or are convicted of domestic violence or sex-related charges as inadmissible to the United States.
During the debate, Mace spoke passionately about the impact of such crimes, saying, “Our country has been ravaged by a horror of illegal immigrants… violently raping American women and girls. I know the lifelong scars, the irreversible scars, these heinous crimes leave behind.”
However, the legislation faced sharp criticism from Democrats, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), who argued the bill “does absolutely nothing to address the needs of the American people.”
Jayapal claimed it would “create a chilling effect for reporting future crimes” and “empower abusers to go after immigrant women and children.” She also linked the bill to what she called “Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans.”
Rep. Mace called out the Democrats who opposed the bill, specifically referencing the tragic case of Rachel Morin. Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was reported missing in August 2023 after going for a run on a Maryland trail.
Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant, was later arrested and charged with her murder and first-degree rape.
Mace said, “The 145 members who voted against this bill should explain to Rachel Morin’s family why they feel no remorse for her murder.”
The 145 members who voted against this bill should explain to Rachel Morin’s family why they feel no remorse for her murder. https://t.co/bLmpprdeJ6
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 16, 2025
The bill’s passage reflects the ongoing debates over immigration and public safety in Congress. It remains to be seen how the Senate will handle the legislation.
This is a developing story.
