The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to pass Rep. Stephanie Bice’s bill H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act.

This legislation increases penalties for aliens who illegally enter or reenter the United States, seeking to discourage migrants from coming to the U.S. illegally and keeping criminal aliens who disregard federal immigration law out of American communities.

Bice, whose district includes Seminole County, introduced the legislation with Congressman Brad Knott (NC-13) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has a companion bill in the United States Senate. According to a news release, the White House supports the legislation and issued a Statement of Administrative Policy stating that his advisors would recommend that he sign it into law.

“The Biden Administration let over 10 million illegal immigrants into the country and failed to prosecute those who defied U.S. immigration law. These individuals included people from countries designated as state sponsors of terror, with 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List being encountered at the border,” Bice said in a statement.

“We must deter future illegal immigration and give our law enforcement and border patrol officers the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable. This is why I was proud to see my colleagues vote to pass the Stop Illegal Entry Act. This legislation increases penalties for illegal aliens who re-enter the United States, as well as those in the United States who have committed felonies. President Trump has delivered on his promise to secure the border, but we have more work to do to safeguard and protect our communities. This is another step in the right direction,” Bice added.

Bill Summary The Stop Illegal Entry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act accordingly:

• Any illegal alien who is convicted of a felony (state OR federal) shall face a minimum sentence of 5 years in federal prison.

• Any illegal re-entry warrants up to 10 years in prison regardless of criminal history.

• Any illegal re-entry after a felony conviction and deportation faces 10 years to life in prison.