In a contentious House vote, over 140 Democrats opposed a bipartisan bill aimed at deporting illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes. The legislation, reintroduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), passed with a 274-145 vote, garnering support from all present Republicans. This marks a slight decrease in Democratic opposition compared to the previous attempt to pass the bill, when 158 Democrats voted against it.
During the debate, Mace highlighted the devastating impact of sex crimes committed by illegal immigrants, emphasizing the "lifelong scars" left on victims. Conversely, Democrats argued that the bill could harm domestic abuse victims who defend themselves against their partners and unfairly broaden the definition of domestic violence, potentially jeopardizing survivors' safety and rights.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was among those who voted against the measure. (Getty Images)
Prominent figures like Elon Musk have voiced strong support for the bill, even calling for the removal of lawmakers who voted against it. Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge voters to oust those opposing the legislation, stating, "They all need to be voted out of office. Every one of them." The bill not only seeks to deport immigrants convicted of sex crimes but also aims to bar entry to those who admit to or are convicted of domestic violence or sex-related offenses.
Rep. Nancy Mace spearheaded the bill's reintroduction. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Integrity Project)
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) criticized the bill during Thursday's debate, asserting that it fails to address the needs of Americans and expands the potential for mass deportations. She also expressed concerns about a potential "chilling effect" on crime reporting and the possibility of empowering abusers to target immigrant women and children. Mace responded to these criticisms on X, expressing disbelief at the justifications presented for opposing the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes.
Elon Musk has been a vocal proponent of the bill. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) also condemned Democrats who opposed the bill, accusing them of prioritizing criminal illegal immigrants over the safety of their constituents. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), a supporter of the bill, linked the legislation to the Biden administration's border policies, stating that it would ensure the swift detention and deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes or domestic violence.
