Ricketts, Ernst Introduce Bill to Deport Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Sex Crimes

October 2, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants (BE GONE) Act. The bill, led by Ernst, would allow the U.S. to deport sexual offenders currently in the country and block those seeking to enter.

The introduction comes after a shocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report revealed that 16,320 illegal immigrants with sexual assault convictions are in the U.S. This legislation would also amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence as crimes that are defined as “aggravated felonies.”

“The Biden-Harris administration’s open borders policies have allowed violent sexual offenders to cross our border illegally then roam undeterred across America,” said Senator Ricketts. “They should have never set foot in our country. Our bill will make sure these criminals are deported or stopped from ever crossing our border.”

“These violent criminals never would have entered America in the first place if we had real border security, but now that they’re in our communities, they need to BE GONE,” said Senator Ernst. “Since Border Czar Kamala Harris won’t protect this country, then I will. My legislation will combat sexual violence by ensuring predators are identified, stopped, and deported.”

“I am honored to amplify and support the incredible efforts of Senator Joni Ernst on this bill. Senator Ernst has been the tip of the spear when it comes to enhancing our public safety,” said Retired Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan. “This bill will hold accountable those who commit the most heinous crimes and ensure they are dealt consequences. That is something this country not only demands but expects from our representatives and as always Joni Ernst comes through for America.”

“We are grateful to Senator Ernst for introducing the BE GONE Act which will deport immigrants who have committed heinous acts,” said NumbersUSA Director of Federal Affairs Michael Hough. “This is common sense legislation that Congress must pass, so criminals are identified and stopped to protect Americans.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration has created an historic crisis at our borders. Under this administration’s policies, tens of thousands of criminal aliens are being apprehended attempting to enter illegally and shocking new data shows that there are now 16,320 aliens in the U.S. convicted of sexual assault,” said Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) President Dan Stein. “Congress must work to ensure that criminal aliens are quickly removed from our country and this bill will help to accomplish exactly that. FAIR is proud to support the BE GONE Act and keeping American communities safe from illegal alien crime.”