Bill Summary
The "Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at streamlining the process for removing certain non-citizens from the United States. Under this Act, individuals who are identified as criminal gang members, members or supporters of foreign terrorist organizations, or those convicted of specific serious crimes would face mandatory detention and expedited removal from the country.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Expedited Removal Authority**: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is empowered to quickly detain and remove aliens who fall into the specified categories, which include membership in criminal organizations, foreign terrorist organizations, or conviction for serious offenses (such as felonies, crimes against vulnerable groups, domestic violence, sexual offenses, and crimes against children).
2. **Definition of Vulnerable Groups**: The bill defines vulnerable groups as individuals who are particularly sensitive to harm, including children under 16, pregnant women, individuals with severe disabilities, and seniors over 65.
3. **Ineligibility for Protection**: Aliens who fall under the categories specified in the bill would not be eligible for withholding of removal, meaning they cannot seek to remain in the U.S. under certain protections typically available in immigration proceedings.
Overall, this legislation seeks to enhance national security and public safety by ensuring that individuals with serious criminal backgrounds can be swiftly removed from the U.S.
Possible Impacts
The "Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act" could affect people in several significant ways:
1. **Increased Deportation of Certain Individuals**: This legislation allows for the expedited removal of aliens who are identified as criminal gang members, members of foreign terrorist organizations, or those convicted of specific crimes. As a result, individuals within immigrant communities, even those who have lived in the U.S. for years, could face immediate deportation if they fall into these categories, potentially leading to family separations and community destabilization.
2. **Impact on Vulnerable Groups**: The bill specifically includes provisions for vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with severe disabilities. While the legislation outlines these groups, the enforcement of such laws could lead to situations where vulnerable individuals are caught in the immigration enforcement process, raising ethical concerns about their treatment and the potential for abuse or neglect in detention facilities.
3. **Fear and Distrust in Communities**: The enactment of this legislation could instill fear in immigrant communities, leading to a reluctance to report crimes, cooperate with law enforcement, or seek help from social services. Individuals may avoid public spaces or essential services, fearing that any interaction with authorities could lead to deportation, which could undermine public safety and community trust in law enforcement.
Overall, the implications of this legislation could lead to significant social, emotional, and legal repercussions for affected individuals and communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1827 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1827
To authorize the expedited removal of aliens who are criminal gang
members, members of foreign terrorist organizations, or have been
convicted of certain specified crimes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 21, 2025
Mrs. Moody (for herself and Mr. Schmitt) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the expedited removal of aliens who are criminal gang
members, members of foreign terrorist organizations, or have been
convicted of certain specified crimes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens
Act''.
SEC. 2. EXPEDITED REMOVAL OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL ALIENS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 238 the following:
``SEC. 238A. EXPEDITED REMOVAL OF ALIENS WHO ARE CRIMINAL GANG MEMBERS,
ARE MEMBERS OR SUPPORTERS OF A FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION, OR HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED
CRIME.
``(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term `member of a
vulnerable group' means--
``(1) a child who is younger than 16 years of age;
``(2) a woman who is pregnant;
``(3) an individual with a severe physical or mental
disability; or
``(4) an individual who is older than 65 years of age.
``(b) Aliens Subject to Expedited Removal.--An alien is subject to
mandatory detention and expedited removal under section 238 and is
subject to removal from the United States if the Department of Homeland
Security determines that such alien--
``(1) is a member of a criminal gang or a criminal
organization;
``(2) is a member of an organization designated as a
foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219(a) or
has provided material support to such an organization; or
``(3) has been convicted of any felony, any misdemeanor
against a member of a vulnerable group, any assault of a law
enforcement officer, any sexual offense, any crime of domestic
violence, any stalking offense, any crime against children,
including sex trafficking of a minor or sexual abuse of a
minor, any activity relating to material involving the sexual
exploitation of minors, or any violation of a protection order
(as such terms are defined in the jurisdiction in which the
acts constituting such crimes occurred).
``(c) Ineligibility for Withholding of Removal.--An alien described
in subsection (b) is not eligible for withholding of removal under any
provision of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 238 the following:
``Sec. 238A. Expedited removal of aliens who are criminal gang members,
are members or supporters of a foreign
terrorist organization, or have been
convicted of a specified crime.''.
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