Sen. Budd, Rep. Miller Lead Bill to Close Loophole Exploited by Illegal Aliens Employed as Police Officers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-Ill.-15) led several of their Republican colleagues in introducing the bicameral Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act today. The legislation is aimed at prohibiting illegal aliens who work as armed law enforcement officers from possessing firearms or ammunition provided to them by a government entity, such as a police department. This bill aligns with existing federal law that already prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition in the United States.
“Illegal aliens have no Second Amendment rights. It is irresponsible for police departments to arm illegal aliens who have blatantly ignored our immigration laws with firearms and ammunition, let alone on the taxpayers’ dime. Federal law already prohibits those who enter our country illegally from possessing firearms, and it’s time we ensure illegal aliens working at local police departments are held to the same legal standard,” said Senator Budd.
“Sanctuary policies in states like Illinois have gone so far as to allow illegal aliens to wear the badge and carry a firearm. That is a disgrace to every honorable officer and a threat to public safety. Law enforcement authority must be reserved for those who respect and uphold our laws, not those who are in violation of them,” said Representative Miller.
“Illegal aliens do not have the right to possess firearms or ammunition in America. The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act would ensure local police departments that try to hire illegal aliens cannot provide them with guns or ammunition,” said Senator Blackburn.
“This is common sense. Illegal aliens who have already broken our nation's laws should certainly not be carrying a badge or a firearm. We hold our brave men and women in law enforcement to the highest standards and the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act will only bolster those standards," said Senator Mullin.
“No one who enters the U.S. illegally should get to enjoy our God-given constitutional rights, including the right to keep and bear arms. This bill would close a loophole in current law to ensure illegal aliens cannot possess firearms or ammunition, and I’m glad to support it,” said Senator Cornyn.
Read the full bill text HERE.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) joined in introducing the legislation in the Senate.
U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.-09), Clay Higgins (R-La.-03), Chip Roy (R-Texas-21), Mike Ezell (R-Miss-04), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-05), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.-at-large), Barry Moore (R-Ala.-01), Randy Fine (R-Fla.-04), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.-04), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.-08), Russell Fry (R-S.C.-07), Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10), Mike Collins (R-Ga.-10), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.-02), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.-13), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio-06), and Cory Mills (R-Fla.-07) joined in introducing the legislation in the House of Representatives.
The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act has been endorsed by Gun Owners of America (GOA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and Immigration Accountability Project (IAP).
BACKGROUND
Recent reports have revealed that law enforcement agencies across the country have hired illegal aliens to serve as police officers:
In 2022, the California state legislature passed a law to allow illegal aliens to work as police officers. Reportedly, in 2023, about a dozen illegal aliens had been hired as police officers in California, including at such agencies as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
ICE has arrested alleged illegal alien police officers around the country working for such agencies as the Hanover Park Police Department in Illinois and the Old Orchard Beach Police Department in Maine.
ICE also recently arrested an alleged illegal alien police recruit at the New Orleans Police Department Academy in Louisiana who had been issued a firearm by the department.
The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act preserves existing laws such that this prohibition does not apply, for example, to:
Police officers from friendly nations visiting the U.S. for law enforcement purposes.
Visitors specifically admitted to the U.S. for a hunting trip or a shooting competition.
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