Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act
The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would add a new subsection to 18 U.S.C. §1111 to authorize federal charges for murders committed in the United States by certain aliens who are inadmissible or deportable under immigration law. Specifically, it targets individuals who are inadmissible under certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and those who are deportable under specified INA provisions. For these individuals, the bill provides federal penalties: first-degree murder would be punishable by death or life imprisonment, and second-degree murder would be punishable by imprisonment for any term of years or for life. The provision applies to murders occurring within any jurisdiction of the United States, including areas outside the usual state-level jurisdictions but still within U.S. territory. The bill’s short title is the “Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act.” It was introduced in the House by Rep. Luttrell (with several co-sponsors) and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Key Points
- 1Creates federal jurisdiction over murders committed in the United States by certain inadmissible or deportable aliens by adding a new subsection (d) to 18 U.S.C. §1111.
- 2Specifies eligible individuals as aliens who are inadmissible under INA 212(a)(6)(A), (6)(C), or (7) or deportable under INA 237(a)(1)(B) or (C)(i).
- 3Establishes penalties: first-degree murder carries the death penalty or life imprisonment; second-degree murder carries imprisonment for any term of years or for life.
- 4Applies “within any jurisdiction of the United States” (including areas not in the normal federal jurisdiction, per the bill’s language), effectively covering murders committed domestically by the targeted group.
- 5Title and purpose: the act is titled to reflect a focus on victims of murders committed by illegal aliens; introduced by Rep. Luttrell and several cosponsors and sent to the Judiciary Committee.