House passes bill that could make deportations of immigrant criminals easier

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post



By Mike DeBonis
September 7 at 1:49 PM

The House on Friday passed a bill that would restore the federal government's ability to deport immigrants for a wide variety of violent criminal offenses in a vote that won quick praise from President Trump.

The Community Safety and Security Act aims to address an April Supreme Court ruling that found that the federal definition of a “crime of violence,” which under immigration law prompts the mandatory deportation of a noncitizen, is impermissibly vague. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Karen Handel (R-Ga.), specifically enumerates more than a dozen crimes that would qualify.

The bill passed 247-152, largely along party lines.

Democrats objected to the bill for being rushed to the floor without hearings or an amendment process in committee, though 29 broke ranks and supported it; four libertarian-oriented Republicans opposed it.



Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/07/house-passes-bill-that-could-make-deportations-immigrant-criminals-easier/

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[BumRushDaShow]

1. "Democrats objected to the bill for being rushed to the floor without hearings..."

This is where the congress has completely broken down. They refuse to carry out "regular order".

I remember back when Democrats took control of the House in 2006 (after 12 years of GOP control) and immediately implemented a 5 days a week work schedule because the GOP leaders refused to do any work, and they were clocking in for the least number of working days of any Congress.

I really doubt that Democrats would disagree with penalties for multiple offenders. But again - this type of thing needed to have hearings to flesh out the extent of the problem and possible remedies and safeguards. Otherwise it is ripe for abuse with out of control LOE who could manufacture "crimes" on the spot and then use that as a way to deport people.

Of course any bill passed by the House would need Senate approval too and that apparently won't be happening anytime soon, so this is nothing more than mid-term election grand-standing. Per the OP article -

The bill's prospects in the Senate are uncertain. The Senate Judiciary Committee has not taken up any legislation to address the “crime of violence” definition, and Senate leaders have not announced any plans to bring a stand-alone bill, like the House measure, to the floor before the current Congress ends in December.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/07/house-passes-bill-that-could-make-deportations-immigrant-criminals-easier/?utm_term=.af4896951a76

[MichMan]

2. I don't see much here in the list of offenses that I would disagree with

Arguing that hard working immigrants that are law abiding shouldn't be deported is understood, but how does one believe that people committing these violent offenses shouldn't be deported either?


" Among the offenses that would be considered a “crime of violence” under the bill: “murder, voluntary manslaughter, assault, sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, child abuse, kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, firearms use, burglary, arson, extortion, communication of threats, coercion, fleeing, interference with flight crew members and attendants, domestic violence, hostage taking, stalking, human trafficking, piracy, or a terrorism offense” defined elsewhere in federal law.

Also qualifying would be any offense involving illegal explosives or weapons of mass destruction or involving “the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another." "

[Sgent]

3. I think the bill is probably fine

if they give us an up or down vote on an amendment to allow for immigration reform I'd probably support it.

SCOTUS struck down the portion of the law that banned violent criminals for being too broad, this reinstates it with narrower language.