2025: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Laken Riley Act Which Required
Deportation Of Undocumented Immigrants Arrested For Theft And Related
Criminal Offenses. In January 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for , according
to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to establish grounds for inadmissibility (and thus
deportation) of immigrants who have been charged with theft and other
criminal offenses, including misdemeanors. It also would include
assaulting law enforcement officers and harming others on the list of
violations for which an immigrant could be deported. The measure also
would allow states to sue the federal government for certain failures to
enforce immigration rules or law." The House passed the bill by a vote
of 263 to 156. [House Vote 23,
1/22/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/22/25;
Congressional Actions, S.
5]
The Bill Was A Response To The Death Of Laken Riley, Who Was
Killed By An Undocumented Immigrant That Was Released Following An
Arrest For Theft. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Lawmakers
voted 263-156 on the Senate-passed version of the bill (S 5), named
the Laken Riley Act after a 22-year-old woman murdered last year by
an undocumented immigrant who had been released after an arrest."
[Congressional Quarterly,
1/22/25]
Under The Bill, A Detainer Would Be Issued For Undocumented
Immigrants Arrested For Burglary, Theft, Shoplifting, Assault Of An
Officer, Or If An Undocumented Immigrant Admits To Commiting A
Crime. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The legislation
would require the secretary of Homeland Security to issue a detainer
for undocumented immigrants arrested for or convicted of burglary,
theft or shoplifting. The Senate adopted an amendment from Sen. John
Cornyn, R-Texas, that expanded the list of criminal offenses to
include assaulting a police officer, as well as an amendment from
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, to require detention of undocumented
immigrants if they admit to committing crimes." [Congressional
Quarterly, 1/22/25]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make Any Foreign National Convicted Of A
Domestic Violence Or Sexual Offense Inadmissible And Deportable. In
September 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional
Quarterly, "the bill that would make any undocumented immigrant who has
been convicted of, admits having committed, admits committing, or admits
conspiring to commit a sexual offense as inadmissible to enter or remain
in the United States. The bill also would make any undocumented
immigrant who has been convicted of, admits having committed, admits
committing, or admits conspiring to commit a crime of domestic violence,
stalking, child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment, and violating a
protection order also as inadmissible into the United States. It also
would make any undocumented immigrant who has been convicted of or
admits to conspiracy to commit a sexual offense deportable." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 266 to 158.
[House Vote 429,
9/18/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/18/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7909]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make Migrants Convicted Of Social Security
Or COVID-19 Grant Fraud Inadmissible And Deportable. In January 2024,
Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill,
as amended, that would modify immigration and nationality law to provide
that migrants who have been convicted of, or admitted to, Social
Security fraud would be inadmissible and deportable. Identification
document fraud also would be grounds for inadmissibility and
deportation. As amended, the bill would make inadmissible and deportable
any immigrant who has been convicted of, or admits to having committed,
fraud involving certain COVID-19 program grants and loans." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 272 to 155. [House
Vote 27, 1/31/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
1/31/24; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
6678]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Add Fraud Involving COVID-19 Grants And
Programs To Legislation That Made Migrants Convicted Of Social Security
Inadmissible And Deportable. In January 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 1 that would add
language to make inadmissible and deportable any immigrant who has been
convicted of, or admits to having committed, fraud involving certain
COVID-19 program grants and loans." The vote was on the amendment. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 267 to 158. [House Vote 26,
1/31/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/31/24;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
845;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6678]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make Migrants Convicted Of Impaired Driving
Inadmissible And Deportable. In February 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would amend
immigration and nationality law to provide that migrants who have been
convicted of, or admitted to, driving while intoxicated or impaired, as
defined in the jurisdiction of the conviction or offense, would be
inadmissible and deportable, regardless of the classification of the
conviction or offense." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 274 to 150. [House Vote 31,
2/1/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/1/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6976]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Detain Any Migrant Convicted Of Assault Of
A Law Enforcement Officer Thus Making The Migrant Inadmissible. In May
2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the
bill that would that would amend immigration and nationality law to
provide that migrants who are unlawfully in the U.S. and have been
charged, arrested, convicted or admitted to any offense involving an
assault against a law enforcement officer while engaged in official
duties would be detained and thus inadmissible. The bill would apply to
migrants who assault a law enforcement officer because of the
performance of the officer's official duties or the officer's status
as a law enforcement officer. It also would permit the Department of
Homeland Security to take inadmissible or deportable migrants into
custody if the migrant is not otherwise detained by federal, state or
local officials." The House passed the bill by a vote of 265 to 148.
[House Vote 204,
5/15/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/15/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7343]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make Assault Against A Law Enforcement
Officer A Deportable Offense. In May 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Protect Our Law Enforcement with
Immigration Control and Enforcement Act of 2023, which would "establish
that it is a deportable offense for a foreign national to commit an
offense involving assault, as defined by the applicable jurisdiction,
against a law enforcement officer if the assault occurred while the
officer was on duty or because of their performance of official duties
or their status as an officer. The bill's definition of law enforcement
officers would include any person legally authorized to apprehend,
arrest or prosecute an individual for a criminal offense, as well as
firefighters and other first responders. As amended, the bill would
require the Homeland Security Department to annually submit to Congress
and publish on its website a report on the number of individuals
deported in the previous year for assault against a police officer,
under the bill's provisions." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 255 to 175, thus the bill was sent to the Senate.
[House Vote 225,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2494]
Democrats Warned The Bill Could Increase Unwarranted
Deportations. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House
passed legislation Wednesday evening that would make it easier to
deport immigrants who assault law enforcement officers, despite
protests from Democrats who said the legislation could lead to
unwarranted deportations." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Bill Would Make It A Deportable Offense To Assault A Law
Enforcement Officer, Including Police, Firefighters And Other First
Responders. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House voted
255-175 to pass the bill (HR 2494), which would make it a deportable
offense to assault an officer, including police, firefighters and
other first responders. The measure drew unanimous support from
Republicans who voted, as well as from 36 Democrats."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Bill Would Deport Any Immigrant Who Admits They Assaulted A
Law Enforcement Officer, Not Just Immigrants Who Were Convicted Of
Such Offense. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
legislation would not be limited to immigrants convicted of
assaulting an officer, but would also sweep in any immigrant who
admits they assaulted or were involved in the assault of a law
enforcement officer." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D) Warned That The Bill Could Lead To
The Removal Of U.S. Permanent Residents Who Accidentally Strike An
Officer. According to Congressional Quarterly, "New York Rep.
Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee,
argued on the House floor Wednesday that the bill could lead to the
deportation of U.S. permanent residents who accidentally or
unknowingly strike an officer, such as during a medical emergency
and when breaking up a fight involving an undercover officer."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D) Noted That Assaulting A Law
Enforcement Officer Was Already A Deportable Offense. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "He also noted that assaulting a law
enforcement officer is 'largely already a deportable offense.'"
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Biden Administration Was Concerned With The Bill Would
Potentially Punish Non-Violent Or Unintentional Conduct And Result
In The Deportation Of Lawful Permanent Residents. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The Biden administration raised similar
concerns in a Wednesday statement of administration policy, though
stopped short of threatening to veto the bill. The statement says
that while the administration 'believes that anyone who assaults a
law enforcement officer should be punished appropriately,' it is
concerned the bill, as drafted, 'could potentially sweep up even
non-violent or unintentional conduct, resulting in deportation of
even long-term lawful permanent residents with otherwise unblemished
records.'" [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Made
Assault Against A Law Enforcement Officer A Deportable Offense Only If
The Individuals Were Convicted. In May 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the
Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act
of 2023, which would "apply the bill's provisions making assault
against a law enforcement officer a deportable offense only to
individuals convicted of such actions, striking language applying to
individuals who admit to committing such acts." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of
209 to 225. [House Vote 224,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2494;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
180]
The Bill Would Deport Any Immigrant Who Admits They Assaulted A
Law Enforcement Officer, Not Just Immigrants Who Were Convicted Of
Such Offense. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
legislation would not be limited to immigrants convicted of
assaulting an officer, but would also sweep in any immigrant who
admits they assaulted or were involved in the assault of a law
enforcement officer." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Amendment Would Have Required Criminal Conviction Before A
Legal Immigrant Could Be Deported. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The House voted to reject an amendment 209-225 from
Correa that would require a criminal conviction before a legal
immigrant could face deportation under the bill." [Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23]
Republicans Opposed The Amendment Because They Believe
"Progressive, Woke District Attorneys" Were Not Prosecuting Assaults
Against Law Enforcement Officers. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Republicans opposed Correa's amendment. Garbarino said
while he understood the idea behind the amendment, he refused to
limit the bill's scope because of 'progressive, woke district
attorneys' who do not prosecute assaults against officers. 'We can't
be left to require convictions on something like this when the
district attorneys in certain areas are not doing their jobs,'
Garbarino said." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Require The DHS To
Submit An Annual Report On The Number Of People Deported In The Previous
Year For Assaulting A Law Enforcement Officer. In May 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the
Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act
of 2023, which would "require the Homeland Security Department to
annually submit to Congress and make publicly available on its website a
report on the number of individuals deported in the previous year for
assault against a law enforcement officer, under the bill's
provisions." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 303 to 126. [House Vote 223,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2494;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
179]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Protect Our Law
Enforcement With Immigration Control And Enforcement Act Of 2023, Which
Would Make Assault Of A Police Officer A Deportable Offense. In May
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
"adoption of the rule that would provide for floor consideration of the
Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement
(POLICE) Act (HR 2494); the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service
Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091); and the concurrent resolution (H Con Res
40) expressing support for law enforcement and condemning efforts to
defund law enforcement agencies. The rule would provide for one hour of
general debate on each bill. It would make in order floor consideration
of two amendments to HR 2494, four amendments to HR 3091 and one
amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote was on the adoption of the rule.
The House adopted the rule by a vote of 222 to 203. [House Vote 216,
5/16/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/16/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2494]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Protect Our Law
Enforcement With Immigration Control And Enforcement Act Of 2023, Which
Would Make Assault Of A Police Officer A Deportable Offense. In May
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
"motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule that would provide for floor
consideration of the Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration
Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act (HR 2494); the Federal Law
Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091); and the
concurrent resolution (H Con Res 40) expressing support for law
enforcement and condemning efforts to defund law enforcement agencies.
The rule would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill. It
would make in order floor consideration of two amendments to HR 2494,
four amendments to HR 3091 and one amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote
was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 220 to 209. [House Vote 215,
5/16/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/16/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2494]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Deport Any Immigrant Convicted For Sex
Offenses. In January 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would make foreign nationals
inadmissible to, or deportable from, the United States if the person
admits to or is convicted of certain sex offenses or other crimes
involving domestic violence, stalking and child abuse or neglect. It
also would subject to deportation, immigrants who have been convicted of
a conspiracy to commit such an offense." The House passed the bill by a
vote of 274 to 145. [House Vote 17,
1/16/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/16/25;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
30]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Deport Any Immigrant Convicted For Theft.
In January 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional
Quarterly, "the bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality
Act to establish grounds for inadmissibility (and therefore deportation)
for criminal offenses related to burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting
-- regardless of whether the offense is categorized as a misdemeanor or
a felony under federal, state or local law." The House passed the bill
by a vote of 264 to 159. [House Vote 6,
1/7/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/7/25; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
29]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make Individuals Convicted Of Theft
Inadmissible And Deportable. In March 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would amend the
Immigration and Nationality Act to establish grounds for inadmissibility
(and therefore deportation) for criminal offenses related to burglary,
theft, larceny, or shoplifting -- regardless of whether the offense is
categorized as a misdemeanor or a felony under federal, state or local
law." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
251 to 170. [House Vote 66,
3/7/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/7/24; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
7511]