Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.30 - Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.30, the "Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. It seeks to make aliens convicted of or who have committed sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or violation of protection orders inadmissible and deportable. The bill passed the House of Representatives on January 16, 2025, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Expected Effects

The likely effect of this bill, if enacted, would be stricter immigration enforcement. Aliens who commit the specified offenses would face increased risk of deportation or denial of entry. This could lead to a reduction in crime rates within the United States, specifically related to the listed offenses committed by non-citizens.

Potential Benefits

  • Enhanced public safety by removing or preventing entry of individuals who have committed violent crimes.
  • Strengthened protection for potential victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, stalking, and child abuse.
  • Increased adherence to the rule of law by consistently applying consequences for criminal behavior.
  • Potential reduction in healthcare and social service costs associated with victims of these crimes.
  • Reinforcement of the message that the US does not tolerate violence against women and children.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased strain on immigration courts and deportation resources.
  • Risk of misidentification or wrongful accusations leading to unjust deportations.
  • Possible negative impact on community relations due to increased fear and distrust of immigrant populations.
  • Could deter victims of crime within the undocumented community from reporting offenses.
  • May face legal challenges based on due process or equal protection grounds.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill aligns with the US Constitution by seeking to ensure domestic tranquility and provide for the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. It also touches upon the powers of Congress related to immigration and naturalization (Article I, Section 8). However, potential due process concerns (Amendments V and XIV) could arise if the law is implemented in a way that unfairly targets individuals or lacks sufficient procedural safeguards. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any other specific constitutional rights or limitations.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).